Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has launched a vigorous defence of head coach Gautam Gambhir following India's disappointing 0-2 home Test series defeat to South Africa, cautioning against what he described as a growing tendency to "find someone to blame" after significant losses.
Comprehensive Defeat Triggers Criticism
The Indian cricket team suffered a thorough beating in the two-Test series against South Africa, culminating in a record 408-run defeat in Guwahati. This shocking result triggered widespread criticism directed at Gambhir's tactical plans and his strategy of backing all-rounders, which many experts believe has disrupted the team's balance and cohesion.
The heavy defeat marked a significant blow to India's formidable home record, raising questions about the team's direction under Gambhir, whose coaching contract extends until 2027. The loss has sparked intense debate within cricket circles about accountability and leadership within the national setup.
Ashwin's Strong Defence of Gambhir
However, Ashwin firmly dismissed calls for the coach's removal during an appearance on his popular YouTube show "Ash ki Baat". The veteran spinner argued that Gambhir should not be made the scapegoat for the team's poor performance.
"Why are we doing this? It's a sport. Managing a team cannot be that easy," Ashwin stated emphatically. "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."
The former off-spinner clarified that his defence wasn't based on personal relationships, noting "Gautam is not my relative". He acknowledged that mistakes were inevitable in professional sport but emphasized they shouldn't justify a witch-hunt against the coach.
Players Must Share Responsibility
Ashwin stressed that while accountability is necessary following such a significant defeat, the spotlight shouldn't fall exclusively on the coaching staff. He pointed out the fundamental limitation of any coach's role in determining match outcomes.
"We want to ask for responsibility. It's easy, because in Indian cricket there's a lot to gain and a lot of money involved. So many people are ready to take the job," Ashwin observed. "But a coach cannot pick up the bat and go out to play."
The cricketer turned commentator insisted that players must own their failures alongside management. "Put yourself in the coach's position. You may say a player needs continuity and that there's been rotation — fine, agreed. But the skill to play and perform is the player's responsibility," he explained.
Ashwin revealed he had "not seen enough responsibility taken by enough players" to justify singling out Gambhir for criticism. While acknowledging that decision-making could always improve, he expressed his personal dislike for individual attacks in team sports.
"Decision-making can always be better, no doubt. But I personally don't like this individual attack, because we always look for someone to blame," Ashwin concluded, delivering a powerful message about shared responsibility in team sports.
