“That is the big thing that stands out to me”

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir continued to face severe criticism following their ODI series defeat against England. The Men in Blue ended the UK tour with just a solitary win, losing 0-2 to Ireland (T20Is), 0-4 in the T20Is and 1-2 in the ODIs against England.

However, former South Africa captain AB de Villiers defended Gautam Gambhir’s mindset. He reckoned that the head coach prioritised going to England with several youngsters to give them the exposure and experience, with big tournaments coming ahead.

“Gambhir was possibly looking at the 2027 World Cup, possibly even the next T20 World Cup and trying out new players, trying out those who have done well in the IPL and trying to give those players experience in different conditions. That is the big thing that stands out to me. When you go to England and play a T20 series, you cannot have the IPL mindset. You have to play each game to the conditions you are confronted with. It was important for them to go through the process with a young team and realise that sometimes 170 is enough. Obviously, he would have loved to win, but I think it was a priority for him to take these youngsters to England,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

AB de Villiers expressed that the media would be after Gautam Gambhir following yet another ODI series defeat. However, he stated that in the presence of seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, along with Gambhir at the helm, it would be wrong to doubt India when it came to major events like ICC tournaments.

“Once again, the media is going ballistic looking at Gambhir’s record with losing out in the ODI series against Australia, Sri Lanka, and now England, so three in a row, definitely feeling the pressure there. Not ideal with that T20 series against England being a whitewash and also in the Test arena, feeling a bit of pressure. But once again, when it comes to India and Gambhir, you speak about Rohit and Virat, when it comes to big tournaments and big games, you absolutely cannot fall this team and their thinking.”

India’s next ODI assignment is in September-October, where they will play the West Indies at home in a three-match series.

Gautam Gambhir is the man to take India forward, says AB de Villiers

Former India batter VVS Laxman is set to serve as head coach for the Zimbabwe series. Notably, Gautam Gambhir has been given a workload management break following a tight schedule.

AB de Villiers questioned whether it was a genuine break or a move to try Laxman with plans for him to succeed Gautam Gambhir. However, the former South Africa captain strongly believed that India must not make the change just yet.

“VVS Laxman will be taking over the team in Zimbabwe. Is it just an opportunity to give Gambhir a rest, or are the selectors saying that maybe we start dibbling and dabbling at a new coach, giving Laxman the kind of experience he needs to take over? I don’t believe they are there yet, and Gambhir is the guy to take them forward. He’s built a really good support staff around him,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue will be desperate to bounce back against Zimbabwe after a series of defeats in the white-ball formats.