'Did you give Gautam Gambhir credit for Champions Trophy?': Gavaskar shifts blame to players after South Africa debacle

By Admin

27 Nov, 2025

India’s recent 2-0 Test series defeat to South Africa has triggered a storm of criticism, with head coach Gautam Gambhir finding himself at the centre of the backlash. For many fans and pundits, the team’s second Test series loss in just 12 months has raised doubts about Gambhir’s experience, approach, and long-term suitability for the role. Yet, even amid the rising dissatisfaction, the former opener still has strong defenders one of the most prominent being cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar.

A Team in Transition Faces Harsh Realities

With the Indian team undergoing a transitional phase, the absence of seasoned match-winners has become increasingly evident. Fans frustrated by India’s inconsistency have been quick to point fingers at Gambhir, questioning whether he possesses the credentials to guide the team through this phase. But as emotions run high, many seasoned observers argue that the current struggles stem from a deeper structural challenge one tied to player performance, not merely the coach.

Gavaskar Defends Gambhir’s Role

Speaking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar strongly defended Gambhir, highlighting what he views as unfair and selective criticism. According to Gavaskar, the tendency to blame the coach only during failures while ignoring his contributions during victories paints an incomplete and biased picture.

“He's a coach. The coach can prepare a team… But it's out there in the middle that the players have to deliver,” Gavaskar said. He questioned why critics were asking for Gambhir to be held accountable now when many had not stepped forward to praise him during India’s high points.

Champions Trophy & Asia Cup: Where Was the Praise?

Gavaskar reminded fans that under Gambhir’s leadership, India won both the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup. Yet, few acknowledged his contribution at the time.

“What did you do when India won the Champions Trophy under him? What did you do when India won the Asia Cup under him?” he asked. “Did you say then that he should be given an extended contract or a contract for life? You didn’t. It’s only when a team doesn’t do well you look at the coach.”

His point struck at the heart of a recurring trend in Indian cricket coaches are often blamed more for losses than they are credited for wins.

Do Teams Really Need Specialist Format Coaches?

Gambhir’s critics argue that his limited red-ball experience makes him unsuitable for the Test format. However, Gavaskar rejected the notion that India needs separate coaches for each format.

He cited the example of Brendan McCullum, who currently oversees all three formats for England. Although McCullum initially served as Test coach before expanding his role, even he has faced challenges in white-ball cricket. Gavaskar used this example to highlight that coaching issues exist globally not just in India.

The Bigger Picture: Player Responsibility Matters

Gavaskar’s message was clear: if the coach is denied credit during successful campaigns, it is unfair to burden him with blame during failures. “If you’re not prepared to give him credit for the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup win, then why do you want to blame him now?” he questioned.

Ultimately, he emphasised that the responsibility lies with the players who take the field. While a coach can strategize and guide, execution remains firmly in the hands of the team.

A Larger Problem Brewing for Indian Cricket

India’s expectations are sky-high, and losses especially heavy ones bring intense scrutiny. As a result, Gambhir finds himself under pressure not only for the team’s immediate failures but for deeper structural issues. A lack of proven match-winners, a transitional squad, and inconsistent performances all contribute to a broader challenge that goes beyond coaching.

For now, Gambhir faces the heat, but as Gavaskar suggests, the real debate should focus on player responsibility, long-term planning, and the need to support coaches during both victories and setbacks.