In the wake of India’s crushing 408-run defeat to South Africa in the second Test at Guwahati, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has defended head coach Gautam Gambhir. The second Test at Barsapara Stadium ended in one of India’s heaviest defeats by runs in Test history, with South Africa completing a dominant series sweep. The defeat marked the second home series loss for India in 13 months. India's struggle against South Africa was incredibly visible, as they never managed to cross 201 in any innings during the series. With the scale of the defeat and the mounting backlash, there have been questions raised on Gambhir's sustainability as India's head coach.  

“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 for him to be held accountable, my 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 while speaking 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.”

While Gambhir has enjoyed stellar success in white-ball cricket, his record in the red-ball format has been underwhelming. Meanwhile, Gavaskar gave the example of Brendon McCullum, who coaches England across all three formats. 

“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. You're not prepared to give him credit,” Gavaskar said.

“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?” noted Gavaskar.