India have been whitewashed twice in a Test series at home under Gambhir.
India suffered their second home Test series whitewash in as many years as South Africa handed them a humiliating 408-run defeat in Guwahati on Wednesday (November 26).
After setting India a gigantic target of 549 on Day 4, the Proteas bundled out the hosts for 140 in the final innings, needing little more than a single session on the final day to complete the emphatic victory.
Following the 0-2 debacle, calls for India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s removal have grown louder. 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.
Meanwhile, a senior BCCI official told The Indian Express that the board will not be making any decisions on Gambhir’s future before the upcoming World Cups, insisting that the team remains in a “transition phase.”
While India’s white-ball side has performed exceptionally well under Gambhir, producing trophies and strong win-loss records, that success has not translated to the longest 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 won seven, lost 10 and drew two of their 19 Tests so far, which includes a 0-3 series sweep against New Zealand.
India also conceded the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3 in Australia. The only Test series wins under Gambhir's tenure have come against Bangladesh and the West Indies at home.
The board, however, opted for continuity over sweeping changes, even as scrutiny intensifies over the team’s tactics and selection calls.
“The BCCI will not rush in taking any decision, the team is in a transition phase,” the BCCI official said, as quoted by The Indian Express. “As far as coach Gautam Gambhir is concerned, we will not take any decision on him as the World Cup is around the corner and his contract is till the 2027 World Cup. The BCCI will speak to selectors and team management going ahead but there won’t be any knee-jerk action.”
After the Guwahati Test defeat, Gambhir spoke to the media and said, “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."
The 44-year-old went on to mention that he was the same coach under whom India won the Champions Trophy, drew the Test series in England and won the Asia Cup.
“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," Gambhir added.