“Up to BCCI to decide” - Gautam Gambhir on his future after India routed by South Africa by 408 runs

In Guwahati, head coach Gautam Gambhir handled difficult questions while maintaining composure. On Wednesday, November 26, he addressed the media following India's 0–2 defeat to South Africa in the series' second and final Test, falling down by 408 runs.

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Gambhir, the first Indian coach to lose two home Test series, has been under increasing pressure. India lost 0–2 to South Africa after losing 0–3 to New Zealand in his maiden year as Test coach.

One reporter asked Gambhir if he still thought he was the best candidate for the Test position, demonstrating the press's lack of restraint. In fact, India has lost five of their last seven home tests and has been defeated in 10 out of 19 matches since Gambhir took charge as head coach.

“It’s up to the BCCI to decide. I said it in my press conference when I took over as head coach: ‘Indian cricket is important; I am not important.’ And I sit here, saying exactly the same thing,” Gambhir said after South Africa hammered India by 408 runs on Wednesday.

In the first match of the series, India was overwhelmed on a spin-friendly track at Kolkata, losing by 30 runs after failing to chase 124 in the last session. Even though India was playing on a far superior surface in Guwahati, the quality of the Eden Gardens pitch was criticized.

Their choice of shots and lack of endurance over extended periods of time were shown, and Gambhir came under fire for favoring all-rounders over experienced Test specialists.

In response to the criticism, Gambhir let his irritation show by criticizing the media for, in his opinion, willfully ignoring his accomplishments and concentrating only on Test defeats.

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“People keep forgetting it. I am the same guy who got results in England with a young team. You guys will forget very soon. A lot of people keep talking about New Zealand. I am the same guy under whom we won the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup as well. This is a team that has less experience. And I have said it before: they need to keep learning, and they are doing everything possible to turn the tide,” he said.

Gautam Gambhir also pushed back when asked whether the issues that led to the 0–3 defeat to New Zealand had not been addressed.

"No, it’s not. The series against New Zealand involved a completely different side to this one. You all cover a lot of cricket—the experience in that batting line-up and the experience in this one are chalk and cheese. I don’t give excuses—never have, never will. But four or five batters in our top eight have played fewer than 15 Test matches. They are learning on the job, learning in the middle, and it’s never easy when you’re up against a top-quality side. They need time to absorb pressure and improve,” Gambhir stated.

However, Gambhir refused to place the blame on any one person, claiming that everyone is responsible for the loss to South Africa.

"I expect better from everyone—including myself. I’m not going to sit here and single out one person. If you want to win Test matches against top teams, you need high standards from every player. Winning tests is a collective effort. You don’t blame one shot or one individual. You look at the entire group. I’ve never spoken about individuals publicly, and I won’t start now,” he added.

Gambhir took over as India's head coach in July 2024 and started by winning 2-0 against Bangladesh. But we were blanked 0-3 by New Zealand and then lost 1-3 to Australia down under, failing to qualify for the WTC 2025 finals.

Then India drew 2-2 in England under new captain Shubman Gill and then defeated the West Indies 2-0 at home. But this second whitewash in Tests at home has led to several experts and Indian team fans baying for Gambhir’s head.

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