Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has come out in strong support of head coach Gautam Gambhir following India's recent Test defeat against South Africa, arguing that the coach shouldn't bear the brunt of criticism for team performances.
Mounting Pressure on Gambhir
The Indian cricket team suffered another disappointing Test loss at home against South Africa, marking a concerning pattern after being whitewashed by New Zealand last year. Although the team had managed to secure victories against West Indies, familiar flaws resurfaced during the South Africa series, leading to widespread criticism from fans and social media users calling for Gambhir's removal as head coach.
The match concluded in just three days, raising additional questions about batting performances and pitch conditions that dominated post-match discussions.
Uthappa's Strong Defense
Uthappa, who previously played alongside Gambhir for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, delivered an impassioned defense of the coach during a recent appearance on his YouTube channel. "It's not the coach who is playing. What kind of a question is that?" Uthappa questioned, expressing frustration at the criticism directed at Gambhir.
He drew parallels with how former coach Rahul Dravid was treated, noting that "people have gone after Rahul Dravid. If he can get trolled and be called, people will call anybody."
Team in Transition Phase
Uthappa emphasized that the current Indian team is undergoing significant transition, having lost several veteran players. "This is side sans Kohli, Rohit, Ashwin, Pujara, Rahane," he stated, highlighting the experience gap in the squad.
He reminded critics that "because it is the Indian team and there are expectations, you cannot escape the fact that this team is under transition." Uthappa advocated for measured expectations, suggesting that while the team has potential to become World Test Championship champions, it might take until the next cycle rather than the current one.
"They outdid themselves in England," he noted, pointing to positive performances abroad that should temper criticism of the young squad.
Pitch Quality Concerns
Beyond defending Gambhir, Uthappa also addressed the controversial pitch conditions that saw the Test match conclude prematurely. He described the surface as "not a turning track, it was a horrible batting track."
"It was a bad wicket. No batter could ever feel set," he explained, noting the combination of turn and variable bounce that made batting exceptionally challenging. "You cannot assume that you are set on this kind of a wicket," he added, suggesting that pitch conditions significantly contributed to the match's outcome.
Building for the Future
Uthappa concluded with advice for team management and selectors, recommending they "use this cycle to develop them and give exposure," while continuing to play on turners but avoiding "underprepared wickets like in Kolkata."
His comments represent a voice of reason amid growing criticism of the team management, emphasizing the need for patience and realistic expectations during a rebuilding phase for Indian Test cricket.
