“You are not prepared to give him credit” - Indian legend’s massive statement on Gautam Gambhir after whitewash in IND vs SA 2025 Tests

Legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar has hit out at Gautam Gambhir's critics after yet another home Test series loss. With Gambhir coming under heavy scrutiny after two sweeps at home within a year, Gavaskar questioned why the blame is on him when fans didn't credit him for the side's Champions Trophy and Asia Cup successes.

Having been swept 0-3 by New Zealand last year, India succumbed to a 0-2 defeat at the hands of South Africa on Wednesday. The Proteas inflicted the heaviest defeat bu runs on the home side, consigning them to a 408-run loss in the second Test in Guwahati. It proved to be South Africa's first series victory in the sub-continent in 25 years.

When asked whether the team might need a split-coaching system, the 76-year-old Gavaskar pointed out that plenty of teams have only one coach across formats and that players need to be held equally accountable. He told India Today:

"Not necessarily. You have coaches, for example, Brendon McCullum is a coach for all three formats for England. A lot of countries have a coach who is there for all formats. But we tend to only look and point a finger at somebody when the team has lost. You're not prepared to give him credit. If you're not prepared to give him credit for the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup win, then please tell me why you want to blame him for the team out there on that 22-yard, not doing well. Why are you blaming him?"

At the post-match presser, Gambhir left the decision about his future to the BCCI but reminded everyone how he oversaw the Men in Blue's Champions Trophy and Asia Cup wins this year.

"That is the way the market forces are" - Sunil Gavaskar blames India's schedule for series loss to South Africa

Sunil Gavaskar also expressed discontent with the way matches are scheduled, claiming that the short turnaround time often leaves the team with less preparation time than required. He added:

"That is the way the market forces are. The market forces at the moment mean that India is a team that is asked to in other countries just about every year because that boosts their TV revenue. See, last year they played 5 Test matches in Australia. And what happened this year again? We went to Australia in the middle of our home season. I think that is the thing that India needs to be very strong about, that Australia doesn't go anywhere during their home season. India should also say to other teams, 'Look, our season is more important. You want to play against us, you come to India'."

The hosts will next take on South Africa in a three-game ODI series, beginning on November 30.