"It is unfair on that young kid" - Gautam Gambhir defends all-rounder after Team India's series defeat in IND vs SA 2025 Tests

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir implored patience from critics regarding all-rounder Washington Sundar's development following the crushing 408-run loss in the second Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The record loss also sealed yet another home series loss for the Men in Blue, with the defending Test champions walking away with a 2-0 victory.

Spin all-rounder Washington Sundar has been a vital cog in Gautam Gambhir's reign as head coach. The youngster was recalled into the side after a lengthy absence during the infamous home series against New Zealand, and has continued to feature ever since.

With his right-arm off-spin profile and ability as a secure batter, Sundar became an automatic replacement for the retired Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. He has had to feature in a variety of roles already, which include a stint at No.3 in the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens.

Sundar bowled only one over in the series opener in Kolkata as the fourth spinner, and finished the series with just one wicket. Gambhir asserted that one cannot expect returns from the youngster like his predecessor, Ravichandran Ashwin, at this stage of his career.

"If we expect Washi to deliver straightaway what Ashwin did after playing more than 100 Test matches, it is unfair on that young kid. That is what you guys need to think about as well. The kid is what? 10-15 Test matches old? He is learning his trade, he is learning to bowl in different conditions, he is learning to bowl in different situations as well," Gautam Gambhir said during the post-match press conference (via Star Sports).

The head coach expressed the need for individuals with better character and mentality to improve Indian Test cricket.

"You don't need the most skillful and the most flamboyant players to succeed in Test cricket. You need the toughest characters with limited skills who will go on to succeed irrespective of the conditions, or what the situation is," he added.

The 408-run loss in the second Test in Guwahati marks India's worst Test defeat in terms of runs, overtaking the 342-run loss they endured at the hands of the Australians in Nagpur during the 2004 Border-Gavaskar series.

"Three days before the start of the first Test, we were in Australia" - Gautam Gambhir on the lack of preparation for IND vs SA 2025 Tests

Team India have played non-stop cricket across formats since the 2025 Asia Cup. Ahead of the South Africa Tests, the Men in Blue were involved in a white-ball series against Australia, away from home. According to the schedule, the fifth T20I against Australia was played on November 8, while the first Test against South Africa, began on November 14.

"Obviously, scheduling does make a difference. Imagine, three days before the start of the first Test, we were in Australia. Suddenly, you have to come from there and you have two days to plan with the Test side. That, again, is not an excuse. We can have more gaps in the middle so that we can work on certain skillsets," Gambhir on the intense scheduling in international cricket.

The head coach reiterated that players are encouraged to feature in domestic cricket at every possible opportunity, and this series loss only strengthens the cause.

"That is anyways a policy, it is the BCCI policy that is there that whenever available, you have to go play domestic cricket. You can't just keep telling players at international level that you have to go and play domestic cricket, it has to come from within," Gambhir concluded.

Team India are not scheduled to play any Test cricket until August 2026. The Men in Blue have to make a remarkable turnaround in the second half of their WTC cycle, beginning with a challenging tour of Sri Lanka.