Image: Sunil Gavaskar criticized India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and his coaching staff / © India Today
The defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has raised significant concerns, with Sunil Gavaskar criticizing the Indian team’s coaching staff, especially head coach Gautam Gambhir. India lost the five-match series 1-3 to Australia, with their only win coming in the third Test.
Despite commendable bowling performances at times, India’s batting consistently faltered, leading to a crushing defeat in Sydney, where Australia chased down a modest target of 162 in just three days.
Gavaskar questioned the coaching staff’s effectiveness, particularly in addressing the batting issues that have plagued the team, citing poor performances against New Zealand as well. He said:
Aapke coaching staff kya kar rahe the? (What was your coaching staff doing in Australia?) Your bowling coach and your batting coach… your batting coach, in particular, against New Zealand when we were bowled for 46, and the way we were defeated in the remaining matches. Batting main koi dum nahi tha (There was no punch in the batting). Here also our batting was not strong enough, so questions should be asked what have you guys done? Why can’t we see any improvement. We would understand if you say that the (Australian) bowling was top class and our batters couldn’t face them. Even the greatest batters have difficulty in facing good bowling. But when good bowling is not happening then tell me what has the coaching staff done? You may ask if should we change the batting order, I will ask if should we change the coaching staff. We have 2-3 months before going to England.
He emphasized that while Australia’s bowling was strong, the lack of improvement in India’s batting technique and temperament was concerning. Gavaskar called for a review of the coaching staff’s role, stressing that changes might be necessary ahead of the upcoming tour to England, where India faces another significant challenge.