After India’s 2–0 defeat against South Africa, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir stressed that his priority is Indian cricket and not personal identity. He highlighted his past successes with the team as head coach, including Test series draws in England, the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup. South Africa registered an impressive 408-run win over India in the second and final Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. This is India’s second whitewash at home under head coach Gautam Gambhir. The 0-3 defeat against New Zealand last year and now the 0-2 loss against South Africa are India’s two home Test series defeats in two years under Gambhir’s leadership.
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Gautam Gambhir told journalists that honestly speaking there is no flaw in the game. Whatever decision we have taken, we have taken it in the best interest of the team and we are confident that these were the right decisions that could work for the country and the team. And the second question is for BCCI to decide. I had said in my first press conference after taking over as the head coach that Indian cricket is important, I am not important. And I am sitting here saying exactly the same thing. And yes, people can forget it. I am the same guy who achieved good results with a youth team in England too and I am sure you guys will forget very soon because a lot of people keep talking about New Zealand. And I am the same person under whose captaincy India won the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup.
Speaking on Indian captain Rishabh Pant’s performance in the South Africa series, Gambhir said that he expects high standards from all the players in the team, even from himself. He stressed that to win Test matches, not only individual performance but also collective improvement is necessary. In the absence of Shubman Gill, who is resting due to a neck injury, Pant took charge of the team in the second Test. The series was disappointing for Pant, scoring only 49 runs in two matches at an average of 12.25 and a strike rate of 80.32.
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Gambhir further said that look, I expect better from everyone. I expect better from myself and everyone in that room. I will not sit here and say that I expect better from any one person. The point is that if you have to win Test matches against good teams, you have to expect better from everyone. And that’s how you win test matches. You don’t blame any one person’s shot. You don’t blame any one person for playing a certain way. You blame everyone. So, I never did that. I’m not gonna do that.