South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has shared his views on India’s struggles in Test cricket under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Bavuma said that India are going through a transition phase in the red-ball format and noted that results in white-ball cricket could help Gambhir find a way to rebuild India’s Test side.
India’s strong home record in Test cricket has slipped in recent years. After going unbeaten at home for 12 years, New Zealand shocked them in 2024 with a 3-0 win in a three-match Test series. South Africa also won a Test series in India last year, their first victory in red-ball cricket on Indian soil since 2000.
However, under Gautam Gambhir, India won the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup. Poor Test results have raised concerns, with India placed fifth in the current World Test Championship standings.
Gautam Gambhir Has a Lot of Pressure on His Shoulders – Temba Bavuma
In a column for ESPNcricinfo, Temba Bavuma compared India’s Test struggles to South Africa’s phase in 2019 after losing several senior players. Bavuma added that Gautam Gambhir is under heavy pressure and will need patience to steady the team in red-ball cricket.
“When it comes to the red-ball stuff, India are definitely a team in transition. If I think of the Proteas Test team in 2019 – which is already seven years ago – we went through the same type of process or phase when we lost some of our big guns. So there is nothing unique about where India find themselves in Test cricket,” Bavuma wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.
“India coach Gautam Gambhir has a lot of pressure on his shoulders, and I think he is going to have to take it as it comes. He is going to have to find a way to buy himself time in the redball game, and I’m of the view that the performances in white-ball cricket may assist him,” he added.
I’m Not Really in Favour of That Rule – Temba Bavuma on Sacking Gautam Gambhir as Test Coach
Bavuma stated that he does not support a split-coaching system, adding that it can create confusion for players. He also said that the Proteas tried separating red-ball and white-ball coaching roles in 2023, noting that the idea seemed logical at the time.
“Some may speak more to the narrative that Gambhir should perhaps carry on with the white-ball stuff and let someone else fulfil the Test cricket duties. Splitting the red- and white-ball coaching roles was something we gave a go within the Proteas set-up back in 2023,” Bavuma added.
“At the time there was sense behind the split rule. But now having one coach across all formats works a lot better for players from a continuity point of view. Moreover, it’s advantageous from a philosophy and playing style point of view. I don’t think a lot of teams are going with the split-format system anymore, and to be honest, I’m not really in favour of that rule.”
Gautam Gambhir Controls His Current Group of Test Players – Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma said that Gautam Gambhir needs to show faith in his Test players, adding that they must deliver when the team needs them most. Bavuma stated that the team must accept a difficult period on overseas tours and stay focused on long-term goals.
“In terms of the way Gambhir controls his current group of Test players, I think it would be best to be clear and say: “Guys, it’s going to be a tough few months on away tours but let’s focus on the long term.” But he is going to have to back his horses and, at some point, those horses are going to have to exit their pens and gallop for him,” the veteran claimed.
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