Gambhir on his future as Test coach: Up to BCCI to decide

There was a sense of inevitability as the final day of the second Test between India and South Africa began at the Barsapara Stadium on Wednesday.

India needed 522 more runs for an obviously improbable win, to prevent a series loss, with just eight wickets in hand.

The end, though, came sooner than expected as India was bowled out in a session and a half for just 140, resigning it to its biggest-ever Test defeat (by runs).

This loss was just the latest in the freefall that India has endured in Test cricket ever since Gautam Gambhir took over as the team’s head coach.

Also read | Gambhir win/loss record in Tests as head coach

During his stint, India has lost 10 of its 19 Tests, suffering home series defeats to New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa now.

When asked about his future as India’s Test coach during the post-match press conference on Wednesday, Gambhir was quick to jump on the defensive.

“It is up to BCCI to decide. I’ve said it during my first press conference when I took over as the head coach that Indian cricket is important, I’m not important. And I sit here and say exactly the same thing.

Report | India plunges to new low as South Africa wins first Test series in 25 years

“People can keep forgetting about it, that I’m the same guy who got results in England as well, with a young team. And I’m sure you guys will forget very soon because a lot of people keep talking about New Zealand. And I’m the same guy, under whom [we] won the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup as well,” said Gambhir.

Speaking about the defeat in Guwahati, Gambhir suggested that it was a collective failure from the Indian side.

“It lies with everyone in that dressing room and starts with me to everyone in that dressing room. I’ve said it before as well that we win together, we lose together. So, I’m not going to be someone who’s going to say that it lies with X, Y or Z. It lies with everyone sitting in that room. That is what team sport is all about.”

The 44-year-old pinpointed India’s first-innings collapse as the pivotal point in the Guwahati Test.

“We need to apply better. At one stage, we were 95 for one. From there to 120 for seven is not acceptable. Someone needs to put their hand up and say that I’m going to stop this collapse. I think that 30-minute spell obviously took us away from the game,” he said.

Gambhir made it a point to assert that assessing the setback against South Africa in combination with the New Zealand series defeat was setting the wrong narrative.

Also read | India records its worst loss in Test history

“The series against New Zealand, we had a very different side. I’m sure when you see this batting line-up to that one, the experience that they had to what this team has is chalk and cheese. So comparing everything to New Zealand is probably a wrong narrative,” said Gambhir.

The Indian coach added that his current Test side needs more time to deliver, considering the nature of the transition it is undergoing right now.

“I don’t think so, ever in Indian cricket, something like this has happened where the transition is happening in the spin bowling department and in the batting department. Normally, when your batting is secure, then your team goes through a bowling transition. But with this Test team, the transition is happening in both skill sets.

“So all of us need to give them time. I am sure they have got the skill, talent and ability. Consistency will come with experience. When they play in difficult situations, eventually they will deliver,” added Gambhir.

Published on Nov 26, 2025