Gautam Gambhir’s head coach contract extension demanded by Sunil Gavaskar

India’s embarrassing 0–2 Test series loss to South Africa has put head coach Gautam Gambhir under intense pressure, but legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has come to his defense. The second Test at Barsapara Stadium ended with a massive 408-run loss to the Proteas, marking India’s second home test series whitewash in just 13 months.

Last year, they have faced a 0-3 loss at the hands of New Zealand at home. Now, this loss angered fans and experts, with some spectators even chanting against Gambhir at the stadium, leading to formal actions from the BCCI.

Sunil Gavaskar slams critics targeting Gautam Gambhir after 0–2 debacle

Social media also exploded with criticism, and many demanded action against the head coach. However, Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that when no credit was given to Gambhir for helping India win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and ACC Asia Cup 2025, then he cannot be blamed for these embarrassments as well.

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The legendary batter explained that a coach can only plan, guide, and prepare the team, but the players on the field are the ones who have to perform. Blaming Gambhir alone for the team’s poor performance is unfair, as the players are responsible for executing the game plan, said Gavaskar.

Players failed, not Gautam Gambhir: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today, “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. Now, to those who are asking, you know, for him to be held accountable, my question, my 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?”

The former Indian captain added, “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 that you look at the coach.”

Sunil Gavaskar backs Gautam Gambhir as India coach across all formats

Amidst the heavy criticism and growing demands for sacking Gambhir, Gavaskar backed the former World Cup winner as India’s head coach across all three formats.

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The legendary batter said that there’s nothing wrong with one coach leading in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, pointing out that countries like England have Brendon McCullum doing the same.

The well-known broadcaster further explained that in India, people often blame the coach whenever the team loses, without looking at the bigger picture. He stressed that coaching all formats is normal, and the real focus should be on the players performing on the field.

Why blame Gautam Gambhir if you never praised him?

The legendary cricketer even argued that it is unfair to blame the coach alone for the team’s poor performance on the field when he is not given credit for the team’s success.

Gavaskar signed off by saying, “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?”