Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian cricket team, and his support staff, are facing internal scrutiny following India's recent defeat to South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly unhappy with Gambhir's public comments defending the nature of the Kolkata pitch, which saw India suffer a batting collapse and lose the match by 30 runs.
The controversy arose after Gambhir praised the black-soil pitch at Eden Gardens, despite it facing heavy criticism for being a turning track that exposed technical weaknesses in the Indian batting lineup. India was bowled out for a mere 93 runs in the fourth innings. This defeat compounded India's recent struggles in home Tests, marking their third consecutive series loss on home soil.
Gambhir, however, stood by the pitch, stating, "This is exactly the pitch we were looking for. The curator was very, very helpful and supportive. This is exactly what we wanted, and this is exactly what we got". He further added that the pitch tested the players' technique, mental toughness, and temperament, particularly their ability to handle spin. He insisted that the wicket wasn't unplayable.
These remarks have reportedly unsettled the BCCI, especially given that India's batting lineup struggled not only in Kolkata but also on the red-soil pitch in Guwahati. This has raised questions about the team's adaptability and overall preparation strategy.
While the BCCI is unlikely to take immediate action against Gambhir due to a perceived lack of alternatives, sources suggest that his position could come under review later in the year. A poor performance in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be held in India, could lead to renewed discussions about the leadership of the team.
The BCCI is expected to conduct a broader review of India's decline in Test cricket, involving feedback from both Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. However, drastic changes, such as splitting the coaching roles across formats, are considered unlikely at this stage.
Amid the criticism, Gambhir has found support from assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak, who argued that Gambhir was taking responsibility to shield the curators and others involved in pitch preparation from blame. Kotak also pointed out that India, like other cricketing nations, prepares pitches that align with the team's strengths, which in India's case, often means favoring spin. Kotak questioned why Gambhir was facing scrutiny alone, and said, "Nobody is talking about what the batters did or what the batting coach could have done. Maybe some people have their own agendas".
