Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 27: In the wake of India’s shocking 0-2 home Test series loss to South Africa, former off-spinner R Ashwin has come out strongly in support of head coach Gautam Gambhir, urging critics not to seek his removal while stressing that players, too, must shoulder equal responsibility for the debacle.

India, who boast of one of the strongest home records in world cricket, suffered a 408-run defeat in the final Test at Guwahati — their heaviest home loss — triggering widespread criticism against Gambhir’s strategies, especially his preference for multiple all-rounders.

Speaking on his YouTube show Ash ki Baat, Ashwin dismissed calls for sacking the coach, emphasizing that Gambhir, whose contract runs till 2027, should not be blamed alone.

“Why are we doing this? It’s a sport. Managing a team cannot be easy, and he is hurting too. It might feel nice to get someone sacked, but that’s not how it should be,” Ashwin remarked, adding that mistakes happen at every level but singling out the coach is unfair.

Ashwin, who has retired from both international cricket and the IPL, said that while fans demand accountability, the players cannot escape scrutiny.

“We want responsibility, yes. But a coach cannot pick up the bat and go out to play. Rotation, continuity — these are valid points, but the skill to deliver is the player’s responsibility,” he said.

The former spinner stressed that he did not see enough accountability from the players during the series to justify blaming Gambhir alone.

“I didn’t see enough from the players’ side to pin everything on decision-making. Individual attacks don’t help — we always look for someone to blame,” he added.

Ashwin’s remarks come at a time when pressure is mounting on the Indian setup, even as speculations rise about potential changes ahead of future international assignments.