Overview
- India’s 0-2 home Test defeat to South Africa, including a record 408-run loss in Guwahati, has intensified pressure on head coach Gautam Gambhir.
- BCCI officials are unhappy with Gambhir’s public defense of the Kolkata pitch but have stopped short of action, with India’s T20 World Cup showing expected to influence his position.
- Ravichandran Ashwin publicly backed Gambhir, arguing it is unfair to single out the coach and stressing that players must take responsibility for performance.
- Former batter Manoj Tiwary blamed Gambhir for unsettling seniors, alleging R Ashwin felt insecure after Washington Sundar’s call-up, a claim presented as his opinion.
- India shift to a three-match ODI series against South Africa starting November 30 in Ranchi under KL Rahul, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning; separately, Australia confirmed Pat Cummins will miss the second Ashes Test as Travis Head’s Perth hundred fuels debate over Usman Khawaja’s role.