India's head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Credit: PTI Photo
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly unhappy with India's head coach Gautam Gambhir's comments after the team's crushing Test defeat at home against South Africa.
India faced a massive 408-run loss to South Africa in the second Test in Guwahati, which helped the visitors sweep the two-match series.
According to a Hindustan Times report, while Gambhir has the board's backing as of now, things can change dramatically if India underperform's in the upcoming T20 World Cup at home. As per sources, any immediate action against Gambhir is unlikely owning to "lack of alternatives."
Apart from a bundle of contradictions in his post-match fiery press conference, it was Gambhir's endorsement of Kolkata pitch — that resembled a mud-laden wrestling arena — which made the BCCI furious.
Even though India lost the Kolkata match by 30 runs after getting bowled out for 93 in the fourth innings, Gambhir maintained that the pitch behaved exactly as the team had requested.
“This is exactly the pitch we were looking for. The curator was very, very helpful and supportive. This is exactly what we wanted and this is exactly what we got. When you don't play well, this is what happens,” he said after the match.
India’s batting group struggled on both the Kolkata surface and the Guwahati pitch during the series.
This was India's third Test series defeat under Gambhir. In the 16 months he has been at the helm, India have lost to New Zealand at home 0-3, away to Australia 1-3, and now finally to the Proteas.
On Wednesday, Gambhir had said it was up to the BCCI to decide his future after the Test series whitewash but also reminded everyone of the success the team has achieved in his eventful tenure.
"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 exactly the same thing," he said.