New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS): Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has come out in strong defence of head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has been facing heavy criticism following India’s 0-2 Test series defeat at home to South Africa.
With fans and former cricketers questioning Gambhir’s methods after India’s second Test-series sweep in two years, Ashwin urged critics to be fair, noting that the team’s batting collapse—not coaching—was at the heart of the setback. India failed to cross 201 in any of their four innings.
“Why are we doing this? It’s a sport. Managing a team isn’t easy, and he’s hurting too,” Ashwin said on his YouTube show Ash ki Baat. “It may feel nice to get someone sacked, but that’s not how it should be. Gautam isn’t my relative—I can also point out mistakes. But mistakes happen, and they become big only when results go against you.”
Ashwin stressed that while the coach is responsible for planning and strategy, execution rests with the players.
“In Indian cricket, there’s a lot at stake, a lot of people ready to take the job. But a coach cannot pick up the bat and go out and play,” he argued. “You may complain about rotation or lack of continuity, but the skill and responsibility to perform lies with the players.”
He added that he did not see enough accountability from the playing group to justify blaming the think tank alone.
“I didn’t see enough responsibility from the players to say the coach is the problem. Decision-making can always improve, but that’s not the whole story,” Ashwin said.
