Gambhir: 'This is what change looks like'

Gambhir: 'This is what change looks like'

India’s dominance in home Test cricket has come to a halt after 12 years of winning every series. In just over a year, they have lost two out of three, 3-0 to New Zealand last year and now 2-0 to South Africa. These defeats have happened under Gautam Gambhir, who became head coach in July 2024.

After the heavy loss to South Africa in Guwahati by 408 runs, Gambhir said it was not his place to decide if he was the right man for the job. He stressed that Indian cricket mattered more than him as an individual and that the BCCI would make the call. He also reminded everyone of his achievements as coach, including a drawn Test series in England and victories in the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup.

India’s Test team is in transition. Senior players like R Ashwin, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma have retired, while Shubman Gill has taken over as captain. The batting line-up now features several youngsters with fewer than 15 Tests each. Gambhir explained that comparing this side to the one that lost to New Zealand was unfair because the experience levels were completely different. He admitted collapses have been a recurring issue, pointing to the crucial spell in Guwahati when India fell from 95 for 1 to 122 for 7, with Marco Jansen taking four wickets.

He refused to single out players, including stand-in captain Rishabh Pant, but stressed the importance of accountability and care for the team. According to Gambhir, skills can be taught, but putting the team first and showing responsibility in tough situations is what matters most.

Looking ahead, Gambhir said India must prioritise Test cricket if they want to succeed again. He argued that success in white-ball formats should not overshadow failures in red-ball cricket and that Test cricket requires tough characters rather than flashy skills.

Another concern is spin bowling. With Ashwin retired, India’s spinners have struggled compared to South Africa’s, especially Simon Harmer. Gambhir defended Washington Sundar, who has taken 36 wickets in 17 Tests, saying it was unfair to expect him to perform like Ashwin so early in his career. He emphasised that both batting and spin bowling are going through a transition at the same time, something rare in Indian cricket, and urged patience while the young players gain experience.

In short, Gambhir believes India’s current struggles are part of a natural transition. He insists the team has talent and ability, but they need time, support, and a collective effort to rebuild their strength in Test cricket.