India head coach Gautam Gambhir has put the responsibility of deciding his future on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), following the team’s 2-0 Test series loss to South Africa. India’s defeat in Guwahati, their heaviest in terms of runs, has intensified scrutiny over the team’s performance under Gambhir’s leadership.

Gambhir leaves decision to BCCI

After India’s 408-run defeat, Gambhir made it clear during the press conference that he would not ask for more chances.
He said the BCCI would decide whether he should continue as Test coach.

“Indian cricket is important, I am not. It is for the BCCI to decide,” Gambhir stated, adding that he has always maintained this stance. He also reminded that he had previously delivered results in major tournaments like the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup.

“Blame starts with me,” says Gambhir

Gambhir accepted full responsibility for the series loss, acknowledging that every member of the team shares the blame.

He pointed to India’s collapse from 95/1 to 122/7 as a turning point that cannot be justified.

“You don’t blame individuals. Blame lies with everyone, and it starts with me,” he said.

Criticism over team changes and approach

Under Gambhir, India have lost 10 of 18 Tests, with consecutive whitewash defeats—first against New Zealand last year and now South Africa. Despite team overhauls and new faces, results have remained unchanged.

He has faced criticism for frequent experimentation, especially his preference for all-rounders over specialist players in the traditional format.

Responding to queries on what kind of players succeed in Tests, Gambhir said the format demands resilience.

“You don’t need the most flamboyant and talented cricketers. You need tough characters with limited skills,” he said.

“Prioritise Test cricket,” Gambhir urges

Gambhir stressed that reviving India’s Test performance requires a collective effort and a renewed focus on red-ball cricket.

“If you are serious about Test cricket in India, start prioritising it. You cannot blame only players or a certain individual,” he emphasised.

India’s batting continued to fall apart on Day 5 of the second Test in Guwahati, with South Africa tightening their grip on the match and edging closer to a historic series sweep. Chasing a massive target of 549 runs, India slipped further into trouble after losing five wickets in the morning session, leaving their hopes of saving the match hanging by a thread.

Spinner Simon Harmer dismantled India’s top and middle order, removing Kuldeep Yadav, Dhruv Jurel, and captain Rishabh Pant in a single destructive spell. Pant, who attempted to counterattack with a six and a boundary earlier, eventually edged a rising delivery for 13, with Aiden Markram taking a sharp catch at slip.

At the other end, Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja were attempting to steady the innings for five-down India, but with the required runs still far beyond reach, the challenge has only grown steeper for the hosts.

Harmer runs through India’s middle order

Harmer’s sharp turn and bounce troubled the Indian batters throughout the morning. His breakthroughs—first knocking over nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav and then dismissing Jurel and Pant—left India tottering at 58/5.

Despite Sudharsan surviving a close call due to a no-ball by Marco Jansen, India remained under pressure as South Africa continued to control the pace of the game.

Proteas eye rare series whitewash in India

With India needing over 470 runs and only five wickets in hand, South Africa moved closer to repeating their historic feat from 1999–2000—when they became the first team to secure a clean sweep over India on Indian soil. A win today would mark their second such achievement in 25 years.

Gambhir’s role under scrutiny as India struggle

As the collapse unfolded, the pressure intensified on India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, with critics highlighting the home series loss to New Zealand last year and the current poor performance against the Proteas. Reactions also poured in from the cricketing fraternity, including strong remarks by Anil Kumble on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal and a pointed social media post by Virat Kohli’s brother.

India clawed their way back into the contest on Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati after Ravindra Jadeja ended South Africa’s solid opening stand by removing Ryan Rickelton for 35. Despite the breakthrough, the visitors continued to dominate, building steadily on their already imposing lead.

Jadeja delivers first breakthrough for India

South Africa resumed Day 4 with a firm grip on the match, and the opening pair of Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton added crucial runs before Jadeja broke through. Rickelton, attempting an aggressive stroke, was caught by Mohammed Siraj at mid-wicket. The dismissal brought Tristan Stubbs to the crease alongside Markram.

Even after the breakthrough, Jadeja continued to bowl tight lines, conceding only a single run in one over and consistently troubling the batters.

South Africa stretch lead as India search for wickets

Following the visitors’ massive first-innings advantage of 288 runs, Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs focused on consolidating the lead. By the 29th over, South Africa reached 75/2, extending their lead to 363 runs.

India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, looked for early success, but the South African batters were cautious. At one point, Siraj struck the stumps at the non-striker’s end with a direct hit, but Rickelton was declared safe after replays.

Pant faces pressure as India struggle

Stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant, leading the side in the absence of Shubman Gill, continued experimenting with bowling combinations. While Bumrah opened strongly, the decision to bring Washington Sundar early into the attack surprised many, considering the spinner has not taken a wicket so far in the series.

A tense moment at drinks showed Pant in an animated discussion with Sundar, underlining India’s desperation for wickets.

With India trailing 0-1 in the two-Test series, the team faces the possibility of a whitewash, which would significantly hurt their World Test Championship 2027 campaign. India currently sit fourth on the WTC points table.

India’s batting collapse continues to haunt them

South Africa’s strong position stemmed from India’s first-innings collapse, where only Yashasvi Jaiswal (58) and Washington Sundar (48) offered resistance. Marco Jansen’s fiery spell—claiming six wickets—crippled the Indian batting order.

South Africa had earlier posted 489 in their first innings, with notable contributions from Senuran Muthusamy and Jansen.