Former India coach Ravi Shastri has come to the defence of current head coach Gautam Gambhir, who is facing criticism after India’s historic Test series loss to New Zealand at home. Shastri, commentating during the second Test, acknowledged Gambhir’s challenging start as coach and emphasised the need for patience. The Tom Latham-led side demolished the juggernaut of India, courtesy of their trump card, Mitchell Santner. Santner bagged 13 wickets in Pune and left the hapless India batters puzzled.
“Gambhir will learn,” says Shastri
“New Zealand have beaten them (India) handsomely in both the Test matches. It’s food for thought (on series loss). He (Gambhir) has just taken over the job. It’s never easy being a coach of a team that has such a big following. It’s still early days in his career as a coach. But he’ll soon learn,” Shastri said, while on commentary during the second Test in Pune.” Shastri said while commentating in the second Test match.
The support from Shastri comes as particularly noteworthy given the pair’s previous public disagreements. Gambhir had notably criticised Shastri during India’s 2020-21 tour of Australia, calling him “childish” for claiming that the victorious Indian team was the greatest touring side from the country.
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Gambhir had pointedly remarked, “I’m sure that people who haven’t won anything give these kinds of statements. I don’t know what Shastri has achieved in his career apart from winning the World Championship in Australia. It was very childish. Even if you had won 4-1, you wouldn’t say this is the best Indian team touring abroad,” questioning Shastri’s achievements after India’s historic 2-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in 2020/21.
Tough start for Gambhir
Since taking over from Rahul Dravid, Gambhir’s tenure has been marked by massive setbacks. Beyond the Test series loss to New Zealand, India also suffered their first bilateral ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka in 27 years under his guidance. These results have come as huge surprises under the new management, particularly given India’s previously impregnable home record in Test cricket. India will hope to gain something out of the IND vs NZ Test series when they host the Kiwis for the third Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on November 1.
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