With India suffering their fourth defeat at home under Gautam Gambhir’s tenure in an embarrassing 30-run loss to South Africa at the Eden Gardens last week, the head coach’s position under is serious threat, reckoned former India batter Mohammed Kaif.
India’s home Test record held strong like a fortress for well over a decade until New Zealand breached the bastion last year and white-washed the hosts 3-0. South Africa’s stunning heist at the Eden Gardens, marking their first win in India in 15 years, made matters worse for a transitioning Indian side that is struggling to form an identity at home. Gambhir’s defence of the turning wicket prepared at Kolkata raised further questions, with several former Indian and international cricketers disagreeing with the move.
With mounting defeats at home leaving a bad impression, Kaif said Gambhir’s exit could be inevitable if the trend continues against top-ranked side. Kaif, who played 13 Tests, said that India batting legend VVS Laxman could be among the front-runners to replace Gambhir in such a scenario. Laxman, the current head of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, has previous worked as a back-up coach of second-string Indian sides during Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach.
“Of course, the pressure is increasing. There is no doubt about it. In previous eras, if you went to Australia, your loss was confirmed, and nobody would feel bad. You lost in Australia or England; it was bound to happen. But loss in India is not acceptable because it’s your fort,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
‘Grey area in appointments
“South Africa breached the fortress, and New Zealand came and produced a whitewash. So, this is increasing pressure, and that is why Laxman’s name will come forward, and other names as well who are near coaching [among contenders],” he added.
Kaif also noted the lack of transparency in appointments and batted for a due and clear selection process among India’s back-room staff. “The main problem is that they ask for applications, and the best option will be called for an interview. We will ask questions and give that role. But a lot of the time, coaches are hired without interviews. In that case, the players who have played 50-60 Tests think there is no certainty. What if we apply and it gets rejected? It’s like humiliation. I am trying to provide service by leaving my work. So, there is a grey area. Everyone knows that.”
Kaif also elaborated how deserving candidates may miss out and pointed out how there was no due process in the recent appointment of Sitanshu Kotak as Team India’s batting coach.
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“The deserving guy doesn’t necessarily get hired. When Gambhir became coach, he brought guys like Sitansu Kotak and Abhishek Nayar. The BCCI allows that. I think there is a need for transparency. Those who have played match-winning in front of one lakh crowd should be backed instead of those who played 3-4 matches and were part of the squad… When Sitansu Kotak joined, there was no interview,” he concluded.
