Gautam Gambhir openly blames transition for India’s Test series defeat against South Africa at home

Indian national cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir faced some of the toughest questions of his career on Wednesday (November 26) after the hosts were blanked by South Africa in a two-match Test series at home.

South Africa swept the series 2-0 with a massive 408-run victory over India in the second and final Test in Guwahati after 25 years. Following the embarrassing whitewash at the hands of Proteas, Gambhir said the Indian cricket team will not give any excuses for the defeat as the responsibility lies with everyone, including himself.

Gautam Gambhir under fire after India suffer historic 2-0 whitewash at home

But he also explained that this Indian part is going through a major transition phase; many players are still learning and need more time to show their true potential. India’s defeat was historic for all the wrong reasons.

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They lost the second Test by 408 runs – their biggest defeat in Test cricket in terms of runs. They also lost a home Test series for the first time in 25 years. It was their second whitewash in 13 months and their fifth Test defeat in seven months under Gambhir.

Chasing 549 runs, India barely held on. Marco Jansen destroyed the middle order and Simon Harmer made life difficult for the Indian batters who lacked technique, preparation and confidence.

From 95/1 to 120/7, this is not acceptable: Gautam Gambhir

India actually started well, at 95:1, but things fell apart shockingly. The team collapsed to 120 for 7, something fans have seen many times recently.

Gautam Gambhir said in the post-match press conference: “Again, the onus should be on everyone, simple as that, because yes, we need to apply better. At one point we were 95 for 1. I am sure you have to watch the match. From 95 for 1 to 120 for 7, it is not acceptable.

We keep talking about this spell but one seamer got four wickets in this spell. And we’ve had these collapses in the past as well. Somebody needs to raise their hand and say I’m going to stop this – stop this, whatever you call it, the collapse.

Gautam Gambhir rejects blame game, insists Indian team must improve together

However, Gautam Gambhir stressed that everyone in the team needs to take responsibility and perform better if they want to win against strong Test teams. The Indian head coach also said that it is not about blaming one player or a bad shot: the whole team has to come together.

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The coach further explained, “I expect better from everyone. I expect better from myself than from everyone in this room. I’m not going to sit here and say I expect something better from an individual. If you want to win Test matches against quality teams, you have to expect better from everyone. That’s how you win Tests. You don’t blame an individual shot or an individual for playing a certain way. You blame everyone.”

Gautam Gambhir calls India’s testing difficulties a real transition phase

In the end, Gambhir pointed out that the current Indian Test team is full of young batters who have played less than 15-20 Test matches, and they are still gaining experience and will improve with time. The Indian head coach believes that with patience, learning and constant effort, this group will slowly become a stronger Test unit.

He finished by saying: “I hate to use that word – transition – but that’s exactly what transition is. When your batting line-up has played less than 15-20 Test matches, they need time. Hopefully they continue to learn.”