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Sunil Gavaskar is not happy with Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar and Morne Morkel’s work with the Indian team so far.
Gautam Gambhir speaks at a press conference ahead of the fifth Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. (Image: AFP)
Former captain Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the effectiveness of the Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff after India’s 3-1 series loss to Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, concluding with a six-wicket defeat at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday.
Gambhir took over the Indian team from Rahul Dravid soon after the 2024 T20 World Cup win. He brought with him his former IPL colleagues — Kolkata Knight Riders batting coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach Ryan ten Doeschate and Lucknow Super Giants bowling coach Morne Morkel — as assistant coaches.
Under them, India won two Tests at home against Bangladesh, before getting whitewashed by New Zealand (for the first time ever) and lost the BGT for the first time in seven years.
“What was your coaching staff doing?” Gavaskar questioned on Star Sports. “The bowling coach, the batting coach, see against New Zealand when we had been bowled for 46, and the way we were defeated in the remaining matches, our batting was not strong enough. Here also our batting was not strong enough, so questions should be asked what have you guys done? Why can’t we see any improvement?”
Gavaskar took particular exception to Indian batters’ struggles with similar issues, like Virat Kohli’s dismissals outside the off-stump, and others’ inability to find the right moments to take on the bowlers and looking like they were throwing wickets away.
“We understand here the bowling was top class and our batters couldn’t face them, fine. Even the greatest batters have difficulty in facing good bowling. But when good bowling is not happening then tell me what has the coaching staff done? You may ask should we change the batting order, I will ask should we change the coaching staff? We have 2-3 months before going to England.”
“I will also ask what have you (India coaching staff) done?” he said. “How do you plan to improve the Indian cricketers? Throw-downs will not get you anything. You had to improve their technique and temperament, which you haven’t done. So make sure that ask questions from the batters who have not made runs, but also ask the coaching staff what have they done?”
- Location :
Sydney, Australia
