Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir reminded everyone that it was under his guidance that the country bagged major multi-nation events like the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2025 Asia Cup, in the wake of the humiliating home series loss against South Africa. The former player is under pressure as the Men in Blue recorded their second home series loss in the space of a little over a year. Ad Team India were comprehensively outplayed by the visiting Proteas side in both Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati. The hosts’ fate was sealed as they slumped to a concerning 408-run loss to end the series on the worst note possible, and confirm the 0-2 scoreline. Rishabh Pant and co. were set a steep fourth innings target of 549 after the visitors declared midway through Day 4. India lost both openers before stumps on the penultimate day, and then crumbled without much resistance on the final day as well to be bowled out for just 140 in reply. Ad Trending When asked about his future as Team India head coach amid the concerning run of results, Gambhir issued a fiery response where he cited the Men in Blue’s triumphs earlier this year in his reign. “It is up to BCCI to decide. I have said it in my first press conference after I took over as the head coach that Indian cricket is important, I am not important. And I sit here, and say exactly the same thing. Yes, people can keep forgetting that I am the same guy who got results in England as well with a young team. And I am sure you guys will also forget very soon, because a lot of people keep talking about New Zealand. Ad The head coach urged the critics to give the inexperienced batters time to settle down as they are in a major transition phase following the departures of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, among others. “I don’t give excuses, I have never done that in the past, and I will never do it in the future as well, but if you see the top four-five batters in this top eight, have literally played less than 15 Test matches. They will grow, they are learning on the job. So, you have got to give them time as well. Hopefully, they keep learning, that is important,” Gambhir said. Ad “I hate using the word transition, but this is exactly what transition is. They need time to absorb pressure, they need time to play against quality attacks and against sides,” Gambhir added. Team India failed to cross the 250-run mark even once in the series. The batters had a tough time against the South African bowling unit, especially the pair of Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer as they picked up the bulk of the wickets. Ad “Just not acceptable” Gautam Gambhir on Team India’s first innings collapse in IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test The foundation of Team India’s scathing loss in the second Test was laid in the first innings itself. After conceding 489 in the first innings, the hosts were well placed at 95-1 at one stage. However, a three-wicket burst right before the session break left them at 102-4, and an early collapse into the second session worsened the score to 122-7. Ad It was almost a point of no return as India could only salvage a first innings total of 201. The Proteas opted against taking the follow on as they had a solid outing with the bat in the second innings as well, before their eventual declaration. “It lies with everyone in that dressing room. It starts with me, and with everyone else in that dressing room. We win together, we lose together,” Gautam Gambhir addressed the defeat. Ad “We need to apply better, at one stage, we were 95-1, and then to 122-7, which is just not acceptable. We keep talking about spin, but then one seamer got four wickets in that spell. We have had these collapses in the past as well. Someone needs to put their hands up and say that I am going to stop this collapse. That 30-minute spell took us away from the game, it was always pushing us back,” Gambhir said of the collapse. The series loss pushes India to the fifth spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. The team have won four matches and lost four matches, with one drawn clash across their first three series in the 2025-27 cycle. × Feedback Why did you not like this content? Clickbait / Misleading Factually Incorrect Hateful or Abusive Baseless Opinion Too Many Ads Other Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news Edited by Gokul Nair.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-i-m-guy-won-champions-trophy-gautam-gambhir-s-huge-statement-team-india-s-loss-ind-vs-sa-2025-2nd-test