Gavaskar defends embattled Gambhir

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has come out in defence of the embattled Gautam Gambhir, saying the head coach can only prepare the team and it is the players who have to deliver on the field.

Gambhir has come in for some scathing criticism following the massive 408-run loss to South Africa in the second Test in Guwahati, which helped the visitors sweep the two-match series.

This was India’s third Test series defeat under Gambhir. In the 16 months he has been at the helm, India have lost to New Zealand at home 0-3, away to Australia 1-3, and now finally to the Proteas.

“He’s a coach. The coach can prepare a team. The coach can tell, you know, a guy with his experience. But it’s out there in the middle that the players have to deliver,” Gavaskar said. Gavaskar added that Gambhir is the same coach who helped India win the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup and now critics were baying for his blood after the home series loss.

“Now, to those who are asking, you know, for him to be held accountable, my question, counter-question is: what did you do when India won the Champions Trophy under him? What did you do when India won the Asia Cup under him?

“Did you say then - you’re asking for a sacking now - did you say then that he should be given an extended contract, a contract for life for one-day cricket and for T20 cricket? You didn’t say that. It’s only when a team doesn’t do well you look at the coach,” Gavaskar said. The legendary batter cited the example of New Zealander Brendon McCullum, who is England’s all-format coach, saying there was nothing wrong with Gambhir carrying on as head coach in all forms of the game.

“You have coaches, for example, Brendon McCullum is a coach for all three formats for England. A lot of countries have a coach who is there for all formats. But we tend to only look and point a finger at somebody when the team has lost.

“You’re not prepared to give him credit. If you’re not prepared to give him credit for the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup win, then please tell me why you want to blame him for the team out there on that 22-yard, not doing well. Why are you blaming him?” Former India off-spinner R Ashwin too has defended Gambhir, saying it is not right to call for his sacking at a time when not enough responsibility has been shouldered by the players.

What can a coach do? Ashwin asks

New Delhi: Former off-spinner R Ashwin has defended under-fire India head coach Gautam Gambhir after the 0-2 home Test series loss to South Africa, saying it is not right to call for his sacking at a time when not enough responsibility has been shouldered by the players. India were outplayed in the series that concluded in Guwahati on Tuesday, going down by a record 408 runs in the second and final Test. A majority of the criticism has been directed towards Gambhir’s planning and push for all-rounders in the squad that has affected its balance. But Ashwin said the former opener, who has a contract till 2027, does not deserve to be removed.

“Why are we doing this? It’s a sport. Managing a team cannot be that easy. And yes, he is hurting too. We must understand that. It might feel nice to get someone sacked, but that’s not how it should be,” Ashwin said in his Youtube show ‘Ash ki Baat’.

“I’ve never been that kind of person. It’s not about supporting anyone, Gautam is not my relative. I could also point out 10 mistakes. Yes, mistakes happen, but anybody can make them. It’s just that when they cost you, they become very expensive,” he added.

Ashwin, who is retired from international cricket as well as the IPL, said he understands the need to pin responsibility given India’s formidable home record in the past but it is unfair to only target the coach and not ask questions of the players.

“We want to ask for responsibility. It’s easy, because in Indian cricket, you know it and I know it — there’s a lot to gain and a lot of money involved,” he said. “So many people are ready to take the job, and there will always be people putting their hat in the ring. But the fact is, a coach cannot pick up the bat and go out to play.”

“What can a coach do? I’m asking you a simple question. Put yourself in the coach’s position,” he added. You may say a player needs continuity and that there has been a lot of rotation, fine, agreed. But the skill to play and perform is the player’s responsibility,” he added. Ashwin urged the players to also take responsibility.

“I haven’t seen enough responsibility taken by enough players to say the coach is the problem...I didn’t see enough from the players’ side to blame decision-making alone. Sure, decision-making can always be better, no doubt,” he said. “But I personally don’t like this individual attack, because we always look for someone to blame,” Ashwin added.