“You're asking for a sacking now”- Sunil Gavaskar defends Gautam Gambhir after India’s humiliating loss to South Africa

India’s legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar stood up to defend head coach Gautam Gambhir after the team's crushing 408-run loss to South Africa, which resulted in a 0-2 Test series loss. 

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Gavaskar claimed that while people did not commend Gautam Gambhir for India's recent victories in small overs, they were quick to blame him for the Test setback. 

Gavaskar questioned the critics and brought up this double standard in an interview with India Today. Gavaskar emphasized that players are ultimately responsible for their performance on the field; a coach can only prepare the team.

“He's a coach. The coach can prepare a team. The coach can tell, you know, a guy with his experience. But it's out there in the middle that the players have to deliver. Now, to those who are asking, you know, for him to be held accountable, my question, counter-question is: what did you do when India won the Champions Trophy under him? What did you do when India won the Asia Cup under him?" Gavaskar said to India Today.

“Did you say then—you're asking for a sacking now—did you say then that he should be given an extended contract, a contract for life for one day cricket and for T20 cricket? You didn't say that. It's only when a team doesn't do well you look at the coach,” Gavaskar added.

This was the second Test series white-wash for India at home since Gautam Gambhir took over from Rahul Dravid. India’s only Test series wins under Gambhir has come against Bangladesh and West Indies. 

Using Brendon McCullum of England as a successful example, Gavaskar also refuted the notion that a single coach cannot manage all three formats.

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“Not necessarily. You have coaches, for example, Brendan 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," Gavaskar added.

Gavaskar reiterated in closing that it is nonsensical to hold the coach accountable for the team's defeats while denying him credit for their wins.

“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?” Gavaskar concluded.

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