“Gautam Gambhir Is A Fighting…,” Ex Selector Sunil Joshi Backs Indian Coach After NZ Debacle

Gautam Gambhir, the Indian head coach, is currently under fire after India’s 0-3 test series loss to New Zealand but he has received some support from the former BCCI selection committee member Sunil Joshi.

Gautam Gambhir, who took on the coaching role with high expectations due to his impressive record as a player and coach of the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, has faced criticism for India’s disappointing performance in recent matches. His tenure began with a shocking ODI series loss to Sri Lanka, India’s first in 27 years, followed by the New Zealand test whitewash (0-3), a first-ever home defeat for India of this magnitude. Despite some success in T20I matches, the recent setbacks have raised questions about Gambhir’s coaching capabilities.

Sunil Joshi, however, has urged fans and critics to be patient, stressing that it’s too early to judge Gambhir’s coaching ability based on just two series. Sunil Joshi, a former Indian cricketer who has seen Gambhir’s commitment to the game firsthand, emphasised that GG’s fighting spirit could help him turn things around.

While speaking to a leading publication, Sunil Joshi said that knowing Gambhir, he can say that the Indian head coach is a fighting cricketer who is undoubtedly completely committed towards the game and the team. He further said that there is no coach who will like to be on the wrong side of the result and we just need to give him some time because he can’t be judged on the basis of two series or five test matches.

The recent series loss has hurt India’s prospects of making it to the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the third consecutive time. To stay in the race, India now faces the daunting task of beating Australia 4-0 in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Such a result is essential for India to keep their WTC final hopes alive but it’s a tall order, especially given the current performance under Gambhir’s leadership.

Sunil Joshi noted that Gambhir’s critics should assess his coaching effectiveness over a longer period, perhaps two years, rather than focusing solely on his early struggles. According to Joshi, Gambhir needs time to adapt to his role and to bring stability to his coaching team.

Sunil Joshi expressed his confidence in Gautam Gambhir and asked fans to give some time to Gambhir and his coaching staff to settle down. He also added that after two years, the results will be in front of everyone and then they can judge Gautam Gambhir.

Sunil Joshi’s support is a reminder that the pressure of coaching the Indian cricket team, especially in a country with passionate fans, can be overwhelming. Gautam Gambhir’s coaching journey will continue to be closely watched, with fans and analysts waiting to see how he handles the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar series in Australia.

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