What Gautam Gambhir said after Team India's defeat in Guwahati Test against South Africa
Indian coach Gautam Gambhir has taken responsibility for the Team India's defeat in the Guwahati Test against South Africa. He stated in a press conference on Wednesday that he was primarily responsible for the team's defeat.
India suffered a crushing 408-run defeat against South Africa in the Guwahati Test. This is India's biggest defeat in terms of runs. This also marks the team's second clean sweep in the last 13 months.
Gambhir is facing criticism for Team India's poor performance. During his tenure, India has lost 10 out of 18 Tests, including last year's 0-2 defeat against New Zealand and now against South Africa at home
Gambhir said, "I can't blame any one player. I have never blamed any player, and I never will. The responsibility lies with everyone, and it starts with me."
Gambhir said, "The BCCI will decide my coaching future. But don't forget that I'm the one who got you results in England. I was the coach who won the Champions Trophy."
Gambhir was appointed India's head coach in July 2024. Under his coaching, India has suffered its second clean sweep at home in the last 13 months. He has faced criticism for frequent changes to the team and for relying more on all-rounders than specialist players in Test cricket.
South Africa has whitewashed India 2-0 in the two-Test series. Chasing a target of 549 runs on the fifth day of the Guwahati Test, India was all out for 140 runs in its second innings. South Africa won the match by 408 runs. This is the first time in India's 93-year Test history that it has lost by a margin of more than 400 runs.