‘Why Blame Him Now?’: Gavaskar Rallies Behind Gautam Gambhir
India’s shocking 2-0 home Test series loss to South Africa has ignited a firestorm of criticism—much of it aimed squarely at head coach Gautam Gambhir. Fans are calling for his head. Pundits are dissecting his every decision. But one of Indian cricket’s most respected voices has slammed this wave of negativity: none other than batting legend and former captain Sunil Gavaskar.
“Why blame him now?” Gavaskar shot back, challenging critics who are quick to point fingers while conveniently forgetting the team’s recent successes under Gambhir’s leadership . His defense isn’t just emotional—it’s rooted in logic, fairness, and a deep understanding of how cricket teams actually function. In this article, we unpack Gavaskar’s powerful take, analyze the context behind the South Africa collapse, and explore why scapegoating Gautam Gambhir is both misleading and counterproductive.
Table of Contents
- The Heat Is On for Gambhir
- Gavaskar Enters the Fray: A Legend’s Defense
- What About the Wins? A Selective Memory
- Can a Coach Really Win (or Lose) a Test Match?
- The Real Issues in India’s Performance
- Conclusion: Gavaskar’s Call for Balance
- Sources
The Heat Is On for Gambhir
After losing both Tests at home—first in Kolkata by 30 runs, then in Guwahati by a staggering 408 runs—India’s aura of invincibility on home soil has been shattered . This marks their second consecutive home Test series whitewash in just over a year, a stat that has fueled public outrage.
As the team’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir has borne the brunt. Critics have questioned his team selections, his all-rounder-heavy template, and his post-match communication. Social media is ablaze with calls for his removal before the upcoming tours .
Gavaskar Enters the Fray: A Legend’s Defense
Stepping into this storm, Sunil Gavaskar offered a measured, authoritative rebuttal. He didn’t shy away from the disappointment—but he refused to let the coach take the fall alone.
“Why blame him now?” Gavaskar asked pointedly . He reminded everyone that coaches don’t bat, bowl, or field. “You can’t expect the coach to go out there and play the cover drive or take the wicket,” he noted, echoing a sentiment recently shared by R Ashwin .
His core message? Accountability is a team-wide responsibility—not a solo act. And targeting Gautam Gambhir ignores the fundamental truth that players must own their on-field failures.
What About the Wins? A Selective Memory
One of Gavaskar’s sharpest criticisms was of the public’s selective memory. Just months earlier, India had celebrated historic Test series wins in Australia and South Africa under the same leadership structure.
Key achievements under Gambhir’s tenure include:
- A hard-fought 2-1 series win in South Africa (early 2024)
- A dominant home series win against England
- A resilient performance in the World Test Championship cycle
“When they win, everyone praises the system. When they lose, one man is thrown under the bus,” Gavaskar observed . This inconsistency, he argued, reflects a lack of understanding of how long-term team building works in elite cricket.
Can a Coach Really Win (or Lose) a Test Match?
This is the million-dollar question. Modern cricket has elevated the coach’s role—but not to the point of omnipotence.
The coach’s job includes:
- Setting team culture and standards
- Working with selectors on squad balance
- Providing strategic input and mental support
But ultimately, it’s the players who must:
- Convert starts into big scores (India’s top order averaged under 20 in the series)
- Execute plans under pressure (e.g., the 93-all-out collapse in Guwahati)
- Adapt to match situations in real time
As the International Cricket Council (ICC) notes in its coaching guidelines, the coach is a facilitator—not the performer .
The Real Issues in India’s Performance
Instead of fixating on Gautam Gambhir, a more constructive post-mortem would examine:
- Batting Fragility: The top order’s repeated failures—even on flat pitches—point to technical and mental frailties.
- Spin Ineffectiveness: India’s spinners, once a home fortress, managed just 12 wickets across two Tests .
- Lack of Consistency: Constant team rotation has prevented cohesion, but that’s a systemic issue involving selectors and management—not just the coach.
Blaming Gambhir alone distracts from these deeper, more complex problems.
Conclusion: Gavaskar’s Call for Balance
Sunil Gavaskar’s defense of Gautam Gambhir isn’t about protecting a colleague—it’s about defending the integrity of cricket discourse. His question, “Why blame him now?”, cuts through the noise and demands accountability from all stakeholders: players, selectors, fans, and media alike.
The road ahead for Indian Test cricket requires reflection, not rage. It needs patience, not panic. And most of all, it needs a collective understanding that no single individual—no matter their title—can win or lose a Test match alone. As India regroups for its next challenge, Gavaskar’s voice serves as a crucial reminder: fairness and perspective matter more than ever.
For more on India’s Test strategy and future tours, see our in-depth guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:india-test-cricket-future].