It is rare for a national team coach to face such criticism after a defeat, but Gautam Gambhir found himself at the center of it following India’s shocking 2-0 series loss to South Africa. This defeat, which included a record-breaking 408-run loss in the second Test at Guwahati, has sparked discontent among fans, who vocally expressed their frustration with chants of “Gautam Gambhir haay, haay” at Barsapara Stadium.
Under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy, the Indian team collapsed to 140 runs while chasing a daunting target of 549. South African spinner Simon Harmer delivered a stellar performance, taking five wickets and sealing India’s fate. This loss marks India’s second whitewash at home this year under Gambhir’s leadership, following a previous 3-0 defeat to New Zealand.
Gambhir’s tenure has seen India secure only two Test series victories against Bangladesh and the West Indies while succumbing to defeats against New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. A five-match series against England earlier this year ended in a 2-2 draw. After the match, the discontent among fans was palpable, as footage of the chants against Gambhir quickly circulated on social media.
The match also marked the venue’s first-ever Test match, yet it concluded with India’s most significant Test defeat. In a post-match press conference, Gambhir attempted to defend his position, stating, “It is up to the BCCI to decide. Indian cricket is important; I’m not important.” He urged that cricket’s success should take precedence over individual accountability.
Gambhir, who also led India to victories in the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, acknowledged that accountability lies with the entire team, including himself. He emphasized the need for improvement, particularly after a disappointing batting collapse from 95 for 1 to 122 for 7 during the match.
This latest setback means that during Gambhir’s tenure, India has lost 10 out of 18 Tests, including the recent whitewashes at home. The pressure mounts as support for his leadership begins to wane amidst rising fan discontent.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/sports/watch-gautam-gambhir-haay-haay-slogans-ring-across-barsapara-stadium-in-guwahati-after-indias-shocking-408-run-defeat-8201927/
Category: Sports,Barsapara Stadium,Gautam Gambhir,Guwahati,IND vs SA 2025,IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test,India vs South Africa 2025,viral video
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Publish Date: 2025-11-26 16:53:00
