“Unki koi galti nahin hai” - Former India cricketer’s massive statement on Gautam Gambhir amid IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Former cricketer Suresh Raina has defended Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir amid the Test side's ongoing crisis against South Africa on home soil. The Men in Blue are on the cusp of recording their second series loss at home in little over a year after being comprehensively dominated once again.

The head coach, who took over from Rahul Dravid in 2024, is under the scanner as India have recorded only seven wins in 18 matches so far. The team failed to make it to the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) Final, and have been far from their best across all departments in the ongoing series against the Proteas.

Gautam Gambhir has made several controversial decisions during his tenure as coach, which have led to the transition being fast-tracked with some questionable, unorthodox ways of operating. With criticism running rampant from all sides, catalysed by the concerning performances, Gambhir's former international teammate, Suresh Raina, has absolved him of wrongdoing.

"Gauti bhaiyya (Gautam Gambhir) has worked really hard, aur unki koi galti nahi hai (it is not his fault at all), the players have to score runs. Under him, we have been doing great in the white-ball format, where we just won the ICC Champions Trophy. The coaches can only tell you the process, but it is the players who have to go out there and face the balls," Raina told PTI on the sidelines of the Indian Softball Cricket League’s jersey launch

“If they (the players) are facing any issues, they must be communicating to the coach that this is the issue, and I am sure they must be doing that. If the players do well then the coach will be also applauded. But if the team is not doing well, it should not be that the coach should be sacked from his post. It is the players' responsibility, if the players are doing well, this question will not even be raised," he added.

Recently, Team India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak had also slammed the scrutiny that Gautam Gambhir was facing after the humbling 30-run loss to South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

"The players should also improve their application in the middle" - Suresh Raina on the current state of the Indian Test team under Gautam Gambhir

The former batter remarked that he does not find fault with the teams that have been selected despite the odd inconsistencies, but asserted the need for the players that have been picked, to perform better.

"The selection is fine, but the players have to do well. You cannot judge a player on the basis of just one match, two matches, or one series. They should play domestic cricket regularly and do well there, if they do well that will automatically reflect in their performances at the international level. The players should also improve their application in the middle, I hope this all is getting noticed," Raina added.

Team India are on the brink of a humiliating defeat after South Africa set a target of 549 on Day 4 of the second Test. The Men in Blue have already lost both their openers close to Stumps, and are tottering at 27-2 ahead of the last day of the series.