Gambhir Under Fire Again, But Uthappa Hits Back Hard at ‘Baseless’ Eden Accusations

Gautam Gambhir, India's head coach, has come under intense scrutiny following the national team's humiliating three-day defeat to South Africa in the opening Test of their two-match series at Eden Gardens last week, prompting a fierce backlash over perceived tactical missteps and a broader erosion of home dominance. The collapse saw India, already without injured opener Shubman Gill, crumble to 93 all out while chasing a modest 124 in their fourth innings, marking their fourth home loss in six Tests under Gambhir's tenure.

Critics have zeroed in on decisions like preparing a turning pitch that backfired and questionable player selections, fuelling debates on whether the team is squandering its fortress-like record at venues like Eden, where they once boasted an unbeaten streak spanning over a decade. The loss, India's ninth in 18 tests since Gambhir took over in July 2024, has amplified calls for accountability amid a transitional phase post-Rohit Sharma's retirement.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Eden debacle reignited memories of past home vulnerabilities, echoing the 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand in late 2021 that derailed India's World Test Championship aspirations and exposed frailties against spin-friendly conditions. Under Gambhir—a former fiery opener known for his no-nonsense approach—the team entered the new WTC cycle with promise, salvaging a gritty 2-2 draw in England earlier this year despite Ben Stokes' depleted squad, but the Kolkata capitulation has cast doubts on batting resilience and strategic foresight.

Fans and pundits alike have trolled Gambhir online, drawing parallels to the impatience that plagued predecessors, while highlighting how the coach's aggressive style, once lauded in white-ball cricket, may not translate seamlessly to the red-ball format's demands for patience and adaptability.

In a robust defence, former India wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa has rallied behind Gambhir, branding the onslaught "baseless" and rooted in knee-jerk reactions rather than nuanced appreciation of coaching realities. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa quipped, "The coach is not playing out there," underscoring that ultimate responsibility lies with the players once the game begins, not the sidelines. He drew a poignant parallel to the trolling endured by Rahul Dravid—the legendary "Wall" who amassed over 13,000 Test runs—arguing that even icons aren't immune to public vitriol. "Scoring 20-30 thousand international runs is not easy. So if he can be trolled, anyone can be," Uthappa remarked, urging fans to temper expectations during this rebuilding phase under new captaincy and amid retirements.

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As India gears up for the second Test in Guwahati starting November 21, 2025, the pitch report hints at a balanced surface that could offer early seam movement before settling into spin, presenting Gambhir an opportunity to silence detractors with a series-levelling win. Uthappa's endorsement, echoed by some ex-teammates, reflects a growing chorus advocating for time and perspective in evaluating Gambhir's blueprint, which emphasises fitness, mental toughness, and fearless cricket. Yet, with South Africa buoyed by their emphatic victory and Aiden Markram's resurgence, the pressure mounts for tangible course corrections, reminding stakeholders that in cricket's unforgiving arena, support must be matched by results to rebuild trust.

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