Gambhir puts onus on BCCI over his future as coach: “Indian cricket is important, I am not”
New Delhi, Nov 26 (KINS): Under-fire India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday put the ball firmly in the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) court regarding his future, saying that individual roles do not matter when compared to the larger interests of Indian cricket.
Gambhir was speaking after India suffered a humiliating 408-run defeat to South Africa in Guwahati, handing the visitors a 2-0 Test series sweep — their first Test series win in India in 25 years.
Asked if he deserved more time as head coach in the wake of India’s slump in the longest format, Gambhir said it was not his call to make.
> “It is for the BCCI to decide. I have said this before as well, Indian cricket is important, I am not important,” Gambhir told reporters in the post-match press conference. “I am the same guy who got results in England, won the Champions Trophy, and the Asia Cup. This is a team which is learning.”
Accepting responsibility for the series defeat, Gambhir said the entire unit — players and support staff alike — must be held accountable.
> “Blame lies with everyone, starts with me,” he said, adding that there was “no running away” from the disappointing performance.
On being asked what India needed to do to bounce back in the traditional format, Gambhir stressed that Test cricket must be placed at the centre of planning and preparation.
He underlined that unless the longest format is given clear priority in terms of team selection, workload management and domestic structure, such results would continue to haunt Indian cricket.
Gambhir’s comments come at a time when questions are being raised over India’s approach and consistency in Test cricket, especially at home, where they have traditionally been dominant. The BCCI is yet to make any formal statement on his future.
