Overview
- Sandeep Patil publicly defended head coach Gautam Gambhir on Wednesday and argued that the players’ failure to handle quality spin and match-specific practice, not the coach alone, drove recent home defeats.
- India suffered heavy Test losses to New Zealand and South Africa at home that exposed a repeated inability among batters to play on turning tracks and against specialist spin.
- India sit fifth in the World Test Championship with four wins and four defeats from nine matches, leaving little margin for error and making the Sri Lanka tour a key near-term examination of form and tactics.
- Selectors face pressure to change tactics and personnel, with calls for greater use of specialist spinners such as Kuldeep Yadav and with injuries like Washington Sundar’s absence complicating any shortlist.
- Former coach Lalchand Rajput urged patience, framing the current troubles as part of a rebuilding phase after senior players stepped back, and said sustained backing for players and staff will be needed while results are sought.