Gambhir had come under fire after India lost South Africa Test series.
India had failed to chase 124 runs in the fourth innings, getting bowled out for 93. South Africa completed the whitewash by defeating India in the second Test in Guwahati by a record 408 runs and pocketed the series 2-0.
It was India's second Test whitewash under Gambhir as coach. Following the outcome, Gambhir received criticism from all sides. Some questioned Gambhir's abilities as a red-ball coach.
Delhi Capitals (DC) co-owner Parth Jindal, who co-owns the Delhi Capitals franchise. Parth Jindal had slammed Gautam Gambhir for his guidance and urged the BCCI to appoint a specialist red-ball coach.
"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 @BCCI," Jindal posted on X on November 26.
Gambhir was incensed at the post-series press conference on Saturday, pointing out that India played without Shubman Gill in the first Test. Gill sustained a neck injury in the opening game and had to sit out.
"Look, there were a lot of talks, no doubt, because the results didn't go in our favor. But the most surprising thing is that no one—no media, no journal—wrote that we played the first Test match without a captain, who didn't bat in both innings. And the difference was in the third run. Because I don't give excuses in the press conference, it doesn't mean that you don't show the facts to the world or to the country," Gambhir said in the post-match press conference after the third IND v SA ODI in Vizag.
"When you go through the transition and when you lose your captain in that series, who is also an in-form batter in red-ball cricket, who has made around 1000 runs in the last seven Test matches—if you lose your captain against such a team, then obviously the results are difficult, because there is not much experience in red-ball cricket. And the surprising thing is that no one even talked about it,” Gambhir added.
Gambhir then took his aim at the IPL team owner, who had suggested split coaching, after India had lost the second Test by a record margin.
"All the discussions about wickets, all the discussions—I don't know what all things were said. And people who have nothing to do with cricket said things. An IPL team owner (Parth Jindal) also wrote about split coaching. So, this is a surprising thing. It is very important for people to stay in their domain. Because if we don't go into someone's domain, then they also don't have any right to come into our domain," Gambhir stated.