Former India opener and former teammate of Gautam Gambhir, Aakash Chopra, has urged the national team head coach to tone down his approach to public interactions after his explosive press conference in Visakhapatnam on Saturday created a stir. Speaking to the media after India stormed South Africa in the ODI series decider, Gambhir lashed out at reporters and called out the Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal for his criticism of Gambhir’s role in Test cricket.
Acknowledging Gambhir’s frustration, Chopra noted that the coach was selected because of India’s humiliating 0–2 defeat in the Test series against South Africa last month. But he suggested there was no need to point fingers at individuals, warning that it could leave many waiting for Gambhir to fail.
Although India wrapped up the ODI series on Saturday, Gambhir returned to it criticism that followed India’s Test defeatHe claims that few media highlighted Shubman Gill’s absence and instead blamed India’s loss of pitch, coaching and batting. Gambhir also lashed out at “IPL team owners”, referring to Partha Jindal, who called for a coaching split after the series loss. Gambhir urged Jindal to stay in his domain, claiming the Capitals co-owner lacked any connection with the sport.
“Gautam came in and was very hot-tempered. That’s what you expect from Gautam. When he comes to press conferences, he speaks from the heart. He leaves nothing behind.”
“I have a suggestion for Gautam. I will probably tell him when we meet. When you come across such a hot-tempered person and when you go after an individual or something, then people start waiting for Gautam to fail. Sometimes it seems like you are preparing for such criticism,” Chopra said on his YouTube show.
“One thing is sure about Gautam. His heart is in the right place and he is a very passionate guy. He is always ready to fight for the country and the country’s team. My only suggestion is don’t fight. People will wait to see your downfall. You can’t please anyone. Don’t make so many arguments,” he added.
‘SLIGHTLY UNNECESSARY’
Chopra, however, cautioned Gambhir against targeting individuals, saying it was not necessary for Indian cricket supporters to have expertise before voicing their opinion.
“He said if you don’t have domain expertise, don’t talk about it. I felt it was a bit pointless. But sometimes we can’t understand the undercurrents behind it. I’m not trying to defend him. But sometimes you feel bad for someone because you know that person’s opinion of you was also different before, so let me take it back,” he added.
“That could be the case with that one person. Otherwise, I don’t think there’s a valid argument that you shouldn’t speak unless you’re a domain expert,” he continued, adding that he discussed the aviation crisis in India despite his absence in the field.
Gambhir was under immense pressure ahead of the ODI series as his future in the senior national team was under scrutiny. India have lost five of their last seven home Tests under him. For the first time in its history, India were whitewashed at home in a Test series in subsequent years.
Quite a few pointed to the instability of the selection policy under Gambhir as one of the main reasons for India’s dismal performance against South Africa. While some heat escaped during India’s 0-3 defeat in New Zealand last year, with senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma largely responsible, Gambhir bore the brunt of the criticism after the 0-2 loss to South Africa.
Gambhir has often been outspoken – and sometimes too fiery – in press conferences. When asked if he was the right man for the Test role after the defeat in South Africa, stated his credentials to the white ballpointing out that India won the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup with him at the helm. The comment, which came after the humiliating Test defeat, did not sit well with many fans and observers.
While the ODI series win offered Gambhir some respite from criticism, he and his team are now returning to their most comfortable terrain. Unbeaten in their last nine bilateral series, India will take on South Africa in the five-match T20I series starting on December 9 in Cuttack.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
December 8, 2025
