"I have a suggestion for Gautam" - Aakash Chopra on Gautam Gambhir's statements in press conference after IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Former India player Aakash Chopra has urged Gautam Gambhir, the Indian team's head coach, not to be too fiery in press conferences. He noted that the aggrieved party is just waiting for a chance to hit back in such a scenario.

India beat South Africa by nine wickets in the third ODI in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6, to clinch the series 2-1. Gambhir criticized journalists and a franchise owner in the post-match press conference.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener advised Gambhir not to be too aggressive in press conferences.

"Gautam came and he was very fiery. You expect that with Gautam. When he comes to press conferences, he speaks his heart out. I have a suggestion for Gautam. When you come so fiery, and when you go after an individual or something, people then start waiting for Gautam to fail. At times, it seems like you are setting yourself up for this kind of criticism," he said.

While highlighting that Gambhir cannot be blamed whenever India lose, Chopra urged him not to fight.

"It cannot be his (Gambhir's) mistake only when the team loses. One thing is certain with Gautam. His heart is at the right place, and he is a very passionate guy. He is always ready to fight for the country and the country's team. My only suggestion is don't fight. You have to please nobody. Don't pick up so many fights," he elaborated.

The cricketer-turned-commentator concurred with Gambhir's views that Shubman Gill's unavailability played a huge role in India's loss in the first Test against South Africa.

"He said that we lost by 30 runs in the Kolkata Test, in which our main batter, who has scored 1,000 runs in the last seven months, wasn't available in both innings, and why is no one talking about it? I concur because we had spoken about it that if Shubman had played in both innings, he would have scored 30 at least. However, we also criticized the pitch," Chopra observed.

India suffered a 30-run loss in the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. While Shubman Gill retired hurt on four due to a neck injury in the first innings, he couldn't bat in the second innings.

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"It was slightly unnecessary" - Aakash Chopra on Gautam Gambhir's statement on Delhi Capitals owner after IND vs SA 2025 3rd ODI

Gautam Gambhir questioned Parth Jindal for his views on split coaching. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra opined that Gautam Gambhir's criticism of Parth Jindal, the Delhi Capitals (DC) owner, was slightly unnecessary, although he acknowledged that past happenings might have played a role in that.

"He said if you don't have the domain expertise, don't talk about it. I felt it was slightly unnecessary. However, sometimes we fail to understand the undercurrents behind it. I am not trying to defend him. However, at times, you feel bad about someone because you know that guy's opinion about you had been different earlier as well, so let me just fire it back," he said.

The analyst added that the lack of domain expertise cannot stop a person from expressing their views.

"That might have been the case with that one person. Otherwise, I don't think there is merit in this argument that you don't need to speak about something if you are not the domain expert. Just like the incredible thing Indigo has done. I am not an aviation expert, but I can talk. I don't think someone doesn't have a moral right to talk. However, that one thing might have had a slightly deeper, bigger meaning," Chopra observed.

However, Aakash Chopra concurred with Gautam Gambhir that he shouldn't be asked about the 2027 World Cup now. He highlighted that no one has a crystal ball to tell what would happen in 2027, whether a particular player would be a part of the team or not.