India have been whitewashed twice in a Test series at home under Gambhir.
Delhi Capitals (DC) co-owner Parth Jindal has urged the BCCI to appoint a specialist coach for India's Test side after the team succumbed to a 2-0 series loss against South Africa on Wednesday (November 26).
While India’s white-ball side has performed exceptionally well under current head coach Gautam Gambhir, producing trophies and strong win-loss records, that success has not translated to the traditional format.
This was the second time in a span of just 12 months that India ended up being whitewashed in a home Test series. With Gambhir at the helm, the team has now lost five of the last seven home Tests, including a clean sweep against New Zealand last year.
Taking to social media platform X, Jindal mentioned that India’s current Test team does not reflect the same strength seen in the country’s white-ball setup, stressing the need for specialized coaching suited to the demands of red-ball cricket.
“Not even close, what a complete thrashing at home! Don’t remember seeing our test side being so weak at home!!! This is what happens when red ball specialists are not picked. This team is nowhere near reflective of the deep strength we possess in the red ball format. Time for India to move to a specialist red-ball coach for Test cricket,” Jindal wrote.
Speaking of India’s dominance at home before Gautam Gambhir assumed charge as head coach, the team didn’t lose a single Test series at home from 2013 to 2023.
After the embarrassing whitewash against South Africa, Gambhir’s future as India Test coach has once again become a topic of debate.
In the post-match presser, Gambhir was asked if he was the right man for the job and he replied by saying that it was up to the BCCI to decide his future.
“It is up to the BCCI to decide. I’ve said it in my first press conference when I took over as the head coach. Indian cricket is important, I’m not important. And I sit here and say the same thing," Gambhir told reporters.
“And yes, people can keep forgetting about it. I’m the same guy who got results in England as well, with a young team. And I’m sure you guys will forget very soon, because a lot of people keep talking about New Zealand (home series whitewash last year). And I’m the same guy who won the Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup as well," he added.