"Don't blame Gautam Gambhir" - Aakash Chopra on India's indifferent recent run including IND vs NZ 2024 Tests
Aakash Chopra has noted that India has endured an indifferent run in multiple formats since Gautam Gambhir took over as the head coach. However, he reckons his fellow Delhiite cannot be blamed for that.
India are 0-2 down in the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand, their first home series loss since 2012. The Men in Blue also suffered a 0-3 reversal in an ODI series against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the cricketer-turned-commentator acknowledged that India have created some 'infamous' records since Gambhir joined them as the head coach. However, he added that the former India left-handed opener cannot be faulted for the lean run.
"This is a meme, so if something is not fact-checked, you can do that. We lost a bilateral ODI series against Sri Lanka after 27 years. India lost a Test at home against New Zealand after 36 years and a Test match in Chinnaswamy after 19 years," he said (1:00).
"India lost two home Tests in a year after 12 years and scored less than 50 runs in an innings at home for the first time. It is not good. Gautam Gambhir has just started his tenure and all these infamous things have happened. You will look towards him and say that it's his fault. I would say it's not. Don't blame Gautam Gambhir," Chopra added.
India registered an emphatic 2-0 win against Bangladesh in Gambhir's first Test series as head coach. However, they have suffered crushing defeats in the first two Tests against New Zealand and have an uphill task ahead to qualify for next year's World Test Championship final.
"He has taken over a team that was already in transition" - Aakash Chopra on why Gautam Gambhir can't be blamed
![Rohit Sharma (left) and Virat Kohli (right) are the only vastly experienced batters in India's lineup. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/b90b6-17300875818596-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that Gautam Gambhir inherited a Test team that was undergoing a transition.
"When a handover happens, it's like a relay race. The same team is almost carried forward and if the performance is not good, it's mostly not the new coach's fault so much because he has taken over a team that, if we talk about this team, was already in transition. It's not in transition in ODI cricket but the transition has started in Test cricket," he said (1:45).
Chopra acknowledged that the Test series loss to New Zealand is shocking. However, he added that it's a bit premature to judge Gambhir.
"The transition has started in T20Is as well and they are still playing well in T20Is, whether it was the Sri Lanka series or the Bangladesh series recently. We played only three ODIs under Gautam Gambhir's leadership and lost all three, which was sad. The Test series loss is shaking you a little. I personally feel it's a little too early. Nothing should be said at this point in time," he observed.
On the flip side, Chopra pointed out that one needs to admit that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's form has not been good. He also questioned some of the selections in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, and the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.