Between 2013 and 2024, India lost only four home Tests. But in the past year alone, Gautam Gambhir’s Team India has already matched that record. Many questions are now being raised about his “demanded” pitches. Should Gambhir still continue as coach in red-ball cricket? Former captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has opened up on the matter.
The turning pitch at Eden Gardens backfired badly. Yet Gambhir refuses to blame the surface, which has already drawn comments from current CAB president Sourav. It is no secret that the Eden pitch where the match ended in just two and a half days was prepared as per the Indian team’s instructions. According to many, India is paying the price for Gambhir’s stubborn pitch strategy. So should the Gambhir era end? Sourav completely disagrees. Instead, he wants India to start playing on better pitches.
Speaking to a national media outlet, Sourav said: “There’s no question of sacking Gambhir at this stage. But in my opinion, everyone needs to sit together and understand that winning Test matches requires hard work. On flat pitches, the job becomes tougher. The opposition will fight too, and there will be big first-innings scores. In India, Tests often change direction suddenly on the fourth or fifth day.”
So what should be done now? The former captain explained: “Coach Gambhir and captain Shubman formed an outstanding pair on England’s batting-friendly pitches. I believe their partnership will work in India as well. We need more patience. I’ve said beforeIndia has the bowling attack to take 20 wickets. We saw that at The Oval and Edgbaston against England. The old ball will also swing in India. The mindset needs to change.” In other words, play on good pitches. Is Gambhir listening?
