Key Takeaways
- Suresh Raina defends coach Gautam Gambhir, saying players must take responsibility
- India faces potential home whitewash against South Africa in ongoing Test
- Raina identifies lack of self-belief as key issue in batting unit
- India’s Test record under Gambhir shows 7 wins, 9 losses in 18 matches
India’s Test cricket troubles deepened as they struggled at 27/2 chasing 549 against South Africa in Guwahati. Former cricketer Suresh Raina has come to coach Gautam Gambhir’s defense amid growing criticism, asserting that players must own responsibility for the team’s poor performances.
Raina’s Defense of Gambhir
“The coach is doing his job,” Raina stated in an exclusive conversation. “We’re talking about a two-time World Cup winner as coach. He can guide players, but ultimately they must score runs and dig in.”
Raina highlighted Gambhir’s credentials and recent team successes, including Champions Trophy and World Cup victories. He emphasized that coaching guidance alone cannot compensate for players’ on-field execution.
Lack of Self-Belief in Batting Unit
Raina identified a critical issue affecting India’s performance: “I feel there’s a slight lack of belief at the moment. In our time, even when down in a series, we always believed we could come back.”
He noted the current team’s partnership-building and batting approach needs improvement, particularly in pressure situations.
Raina’s Solution: Back to Basics
The former all-rounder prescribed a straightforward remedy: “The solution is simple: more match practice. Players need more first-class cricket.”
He cited examples of and Cheteshwar Pujara benefiting from domestic cricket, where scoring double and triple centuries builds crucial confidence and rhythm.
India’s Alarming Test Decline
India’s batting collapse in Guwahati continues a worrying trend. The team has repeatedly failed to cross 300 runs, struggling with partnerships and team combinations.
Under Gambhir’s coaching, India has managed only 7 wins against 9 losses in approximately 18 Tests. The home record is particularly concerning with 4 losses in 8 matches, including a 3-0 whitewash by New Zealand.
Despite a brief recovery against West Indies, the Guwahati Test could result in another embarrassing home series whitewash for India.
