Gautam Gambhir Indirectly Targets Indian Batters After a Disappointing Show Against South Africa in Kolkata: “There Were No Demons in the Wicket”

Gautam Gambhir suggested that the Indian players must ready themselves for challenging playing surfaces, similar to that at the Eden Gardens.

Gautam Gambhir Indirectly Targets Indian Batters After a Disappointing Show Against South Africa in Kolkata: “There Were No Demons in the Wicket”

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir blamed his batters, and not the pitch for India's defeat. (via News 18)

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Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir had an utterly surprising response to the Men in Blue’s dismal show in the first Test match against South Africa at the Eden Gardens. He indirectly blamed the Indian batters for their struggles on a pitch he suggested was what the team wanted. 

The Indian Test side succumbed to an embarrassing defeat at home to the reigning WTC winners, also giving South Africa its first taste of victory on Indian soil after 15 years. They completed a remarkable comeback, after having only scored 159 runs in their first innings, and 153 runs in the second. India faltered in chasing down the 124-run target, managing 93 runs in the end of the final innings in Kolkata.

Washington Sundar tried to hold the team together with a much-needed 31-run innings, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel provided some late hope with the bat, but they ultimately fell short of taking the team over the line. The Indian red-ball side’s woeful display prompted critics and fans to scrutinize the surface at the iconic Eden Gardens, for its uneven bounce and turn, with no help for batters throughout.

While it was expected that Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir would have a similar response on the excessive turn, the 44-year-old stated otherwise. He surprisingly noted that the pitch had been prepared exactly as the Indian team wanted, and even commended chief curator Sujan Mukherjee for his support. Gambhir in fact, defended his decision to go for a turning wicket, exclaiming that the pitch was not an unplayable one.

It was not an unplayable wicket. This pitch is exactly what we asked for and this is what we got. I think it’s a wicket that can judge your mental toughness, because those who played with good defense scored runs.

He suggested that his batters failed to read the surface as well as its turn, as a result of which they could not scores runs. Gambhir added that there were no ‘demons’ in the wicket, and urged his players to not waste time talking about the pitch. Taking a subtle dig at his own batters, Gambhir noted that the players who defended the ball well, were the only ones who could manage to score runs in the first Test.

The curator, Sujan Mukherjee, was very supportive…There were no demons on the wicket. Axar [Patel], Temba [Bavuma], Washington [Sundar], they all made runs.

Gambhir and Co. also achieved an unwanted record, as it marked the first time in Indian Test cricket history that the team ended a match without a single batter scoring a half-century. Washington Sundar finished as India’s top run-getter, with 50 runs across both the innings.

Gautam Gambhir provides an update on Shubman Gill’s injury, ahead of second Test against South Africa

Indian red-ball skipper Shubman Gill had to miss out on the action for the remainder of the Kolkata Test, after he suffered a neck spasm on Day 2. Head coach Gautam Gambhir provided an update on the player’s health, prior to the second Test against South Africa. 

Gautam Gambhir on Shubman Gill's injury
Gautam Gambhir provides an update on Shubman Gill’s neck injury, ahead of second Test. (via India Today)

The 26-year-old went for a sweep off Simon Harmer’s ball in the first innings, but experienced stiffness in his neck after completing the shot. Gill could not continue batting after that, and had to be rushed to Kolkata’s Woodlands hospital at the end of the second day’s play for further scans and treatment. The Indian captain did not return to the pitch, and was even spotted wearing a neck brace.

In the face of such a worrying scenario for the Indian team, head coach Gambhir shared a crucial update on Gill’s health. Gambhir revealed that Gill is still being assessed by the medical team, who are expected to take a call on his participation in the second Test by the end of the day. The India captain reportedly experienced pain in his neck, as a result of which he had to spend the night at the hospital.

He [Shubman Gill] is still being assessed. So, let’s see. The physios will take a call today evening and we will take a call.

In case Gill fails to make it in time for the 2nd Test in Guwahati, Rishabh Pant is expected to take over his captaincy role. Meanwhile, the team already has Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal on the bench, and could opt for anyone of them for the final showdown against South Africa.

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