Head coach Gautam Gambhir asked tough questions while remaining composed in Guwahati. He was in front of reporters after India lost 0–2 to South Africa, falling by 408 runs in the second and final Test of the series on Wednesday 26 November.
Test 2, Day 5 highlights | Scorecard
The pressure is mounting on Gambhir, who became the first Indian coach to suffer two wickets in a home Test series. In his first year as Test coach, India lost 0–3 to New Zealand and have now lost 0–2 to South Africa.
The press didn’t hold back when one of the reporters asked Gambhir if he thought he was still the right man for the Test job.
In fact, India have lost five of their last seven home Tests and have been beaten in 10 of their 19 matches since Gambhir took charge as head coach.
“It is for the BCCI to decide. I said this in my press conference when I took over as head coach: ‘Indian cricket is important, I am not important’. And I am sitting here saying exactly the same thing,” Gambhir said afterwards. South Africa beat India by 408 runs on Wednesday.
Gambhir allowed some frustration to show as he responded to the criticism, lashing out at the media for, in his view, conveniently overlooking his achievements and focusing only on Test defeats.
“People keep forgetting that. I’m the same guy who got results in England with a young team. You guys forget very soon. A lot of people still talk about New Zealand. I’m the same guy we won the Champions Trophy under and also the Asian Cup. This is a team with less experience. And I’ve said it before: they have to keep learning and they’re doing everything to turn things around.
HORROR RECORD
India lost a Test series without winning a match for the first time in their history last year when they were obliterated 3-0 by the visiting New Zealand side. It was Gambhir’s second Test series in charge. India then suffered a 1–3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, prompting calls for his removal. However, after the defeat in Australia, the team underwent a significant transition, with R Ashwin stepping down midway through the series and senior stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma then quitting Test cricket.
India traveled to England earlier this year with a young team led by newly appointed captain Shubman Gill. The visitors fought back admirably to secure a 2-2 draw and pull off a sensational come-from-behind win.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
November 26, 2025
