Gautam Gambhir was one of India’s iconic players. He top-scored in India’s two triumphs in World Cup finals in the 21st century, he batted for what felt like decades to rescue a draw against New Zealand. Under his tenure as coach, India won Asia Cup, Champions Trophy, and even the T20 World Cup. However, in red ball cricket, he ain’t it.
India lost home series to New Zealand 0-3 and now have lost home series to South Africa 0-2. This was something unthinkable but it happened and much of the blame lies with Gambhir.
India was considered invincible at home, not having lost a series at home in 12 years prior to Gambhir’s appointment, but now we have been blanked twice in two home series. South African spinners and even seamer Marco Jansen outbowled our bowlers, during New Zealand series, their spinners outbowled our spinners. Such was the effect of the New Zealand series loss that an all time great like Ravi Ashwin announced his retirement.
Gambhir’s tenure as the Indian coach has really been a mixed bag. While on the one hand India won the World T20, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup under him. On the other hand, India suffered the ignominy of being blanked by New Zealand and South Africa at home in Test series.
India was once described as the ultimate fortress in Test cricket. Now apparently anyone can come and beat India in India. Coach Gautam Gambhir has to shoulder much of the blame here. His fascination with allrounders meant that India had no proper batsmen after the openers during the last Test in Guwahati.
The number 4 spot, once occupied by Sachin Tendulkar and after him Virat Kohli, was now at the hands of Dhruv Jurel. With all due respect to Jurel, he is no Tendulkar or Kohli.
Under Gambhir regime, all rounders play who don’t bowl and bat at number 9, Nitish Reddy the latest example from Guwahati Test. So what is even the point of playing them? Why not have specialist batsman or bowler in their position? That, only Gambhir can answer.
However, it is time for India to start thinking about different coaches for red ball and white ball cricket. While Gambhir’s tactics and his gung=ho attitude has worked in white ball cricket, it is obviously not working in red ball cricket.
The next Test for India is months away, so maybe people will forget about this embarrassment by then but should not.
Notably, the 408 runs loss against South Africa was India’s biggest defeat ever in terms of runs in Test history. Some heads need to roll after this humiliation, and the head coach should be the first one among them.
