Overview
- By day three of the Guwahati Test, local reports said India were “staring at an embarrassing whitewash” in the two-match series against South Africa.
- Since Gambhir took over in July 2024, India’s Test record stands at 7 wins, 2 draws and 9 losses.
- Criticism of the South Africa series centers on the Kolkata pitch approach, Washington Sundar’s shifting role, and overlooking Sarfaraz Khan or Abhimanyu Easwaran after Shubman Gill’s exit.
- Home results have sagged, with four wins under Gambhir coming only against Bangladesh and West Indies and notable failures including a sub-200 chase in Mumbai and a 124-run chase at Eden Gardens.
- Fan backlash has intensified with calls for Gambhir to resign, while reports note India have only four wins in the 2025–27 WTC cycle, putting qualification under strain with another defeat.