Former Cricketer Lashes out on Gautam Gambhir After India’s Humiliating Home Test Series Loss Against South Africa

India's Test failures seemingly stem from Gautam Gambhir's inconsistent player selection strategies, and the lack of a settled batter at no. 3.

Former Cricketer Lashes out on Gautam Gambhir After India’s Humiliating Home Test Series Loss Against South Africa

Gautam Gambhir's strategies were slammed by former India bowler Venkatesh Prasad, following South Africa humiliation. (via India Today)

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India’s humiliating home Test series defeat to South Africa has put head coach Gautam Gambhir under fire, with former players like Venkatesh Prasad and Anil Kumble hitting out at him. The Men in Blue lost both the Test matches, in Kolkata and Guwahati.

The Indian red-ball side suffered a 408-run loss to South Africa in the second Test at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, which in fact marked the heaviest-ever for the team in history. Since Gautam Gambhir took over as the head coach, it has not been easy, especially in the longest format, with India having lost 10 out of the 19 matches it has played since July 2024, including a 0-3 defeat to New Zealand at home last year. 

However, head coach Gautam Gambhir attributed the team’s recent humiliation to the lack of batting experience, and for being in transition. His ‘excuses’ have not stood well with critics and former players. The 44-year-old’s strategies, especially in red-ball cricket have been scrutinized, including his over-reliance on all-rounder rather than specialist players, inconsistency in player selection, and insistence on rank turners.

Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad was harsh in his criticism, as he took to social media to state that the team management should not hide behind the ‘excuse of transition’, pointing to the fact that most of the players, barring Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Dhruv Jurel, having played Test cricket for India for the last 6-7 years. He noted that the current Indian side does not lack experience, but has failed due to tactical errors. Prasad wrote on X:

We cannot hide under the garb of transition. Barring Sudarshan, Jurel and Reddy, most of the guys have been around for 7-8 years. Some very experienced campaigners. This is a series of tactical errors, obsession with playing all-rounders and not wanting to learn from mistakes.

Venkatesh Prasad suggested Gautam Gambhir and the selectors to pick players based on domestic performances and not the IPL, while also highlighting a few prominent names like Yash Rathod, Shubham Sharma, Smaran Ravichandran and Baba Indrajit.

The 56-year-old further stated that players who have an average below what is expected out of them in the longest format, should be left out. He also gave his take on the inclusion of specialist players, over all-rounders.

Apart from Venkatesh Prasad, Anil Kumble, in commentary, offered a more nuanced and detailed critique. Kumble slammed the team and head coach Gautam Gambhir for lacking vision, while exclaiming that Test cricket requires a completely different mindset.

Who could replace Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach, in case he steps down or is sacked?

Gautam Gambhir’s role as Team India head coach remains is doubt, following a disastrous performance in the recently-concluded Test series against South Africa at home. India’s defeat to the Proteas puts the team fifth on the WTC standings, even behind Sri Lanka and Pakistan. 

Gautam Gambhir replacements
Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri or VVS Laxman could be Gautam Gambhir’s replacements in the future. (via NDTV Sports)

While the Men in Blue have performed well in white-ball cricket, Gambhir’s tenure has seen the team win only seven Tests out of the 19 played over the past year. In case of a change in management ahead of the 2026 season, three big names remain on top to replace the 44-year-old icon. Ex-India batter VVS Laxman, former head coach Ravi Shastri and Zimbabwean legend Andy Flower remain top contenders. 

Currently the head of the BCCI’s Center of Excellence, Laxman has served as India’s backup coach at time, including the 2023 Asian Games. He enjoys a decent win record as coach, putting him in pole position to replace Gambhir. Shastri could also be the ‘go-to-man’, given his excellent tenure as India’s head coach from 2017 to 2021, during which the team won 25 out of 43 Tests.

Among the overseas picks, Zimbabwean icon Andy Flower could be in the ranks, after having guided the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to its maiden IPL title. Anil Kumble, Mahela Jayawardene, Tom Moody and Stephen Fleming are the others in contention. 

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