Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly defended Gautam Gambhir, urging critics to pause the blame game after India suffered a rare 2-0 home Test series loss to South Africa.
In the latest episode of his YouTube show Ash Ki Baat, the recently retired off-spinner said, “A coach can give plans, motivation and structure, but he cannot bat or bowl for the players. When the same mistakes are repeated ball after ball, the questioning has to start inside the dressing room first.”
The series marked the first time in 25 years that India have been whitewashed at home. South Africa won the Kolkata Test by 30 runs after India collapsed to 93 while chasing 124. In Guwahati, the margin ballooned to 408 runs — India’s heaviest defeat by runs in Test history — after the hosts were bowled out for 140 in pursuit of 549.
No Indian batter scored a hundred across the two matches, and the top-order averaged just 21.8, the lowest in a home series since 1995. South Africa, playing without Kagiso Rabada, recorded only their second series win in India and their first since 2000.
The defeats triggered sharp criticism of Gambhir’s team selection, pitch preparation and overall strategy. Some spectators in both cities chanted against the head coach, while several former players called for immediate changes.
Gambhir, speaking after the final Test, remained composed. “We are in transition. Four or five players in our batting line-up have played fewer than 15 Tests. Results will take time, but the effort and intent have been there.”
Ashwin supported that view without glossing over the problems. “There were mistakes — plenty of them — and everyone in the set-up knows it,” he said. “But turning one individual into the sole reason for the loss is neither accurate nor helpful. The players have to look in the mirror first. Gautam bhai is hurting as much as anyone else; he doesn’t need reminding that the results are poor.”
With India’s next Test series not scheduled until the tour of Australia in late 2026, the coming year will be critical for the younger batting group and for Gambhir’s leadership. Ashwin concluded on a note of cautious optimism: “These are tough days, but Indian cricket has always found a way to come back stronger when the accountability is shared honestly.”
Meanwhile, South Africa’s historic triumph lifted them to second place in the World Test Championship table under captain Temba Bavuma.
