"I feel sorry for Gautam Gambhir" - Atul Wassan sympathizes with Team India's head coach after first home Test series loss in 12 years
Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan sympathized with Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir following the Men in Blue's Test series defeat to New Zealand. The Kiwis secured a 113-run victory in the Pune Test on Saturday, October 26, to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match rubber.
With the series loss, India's home juggernaut ended as they suffered their first home Test series defeat since 2012-13. Reacting to the Rohit Sharma-led side's dismal show, Wassan stated that he feels sorry for Gambhir, who has now come under the scanner.
The cricketer-turned-commentator told PTI:
"I feel sorry for Gautam Gambhir to have this albatross across his neck now for losing this series after 12 years, and that too against a team that lost against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka recently. And we are talking about winning the WTC final... In the backdrop of all this, I still cannot overcome this feeling that we have lost within three days."
India were bowled out for just 46 runs in the opening encounter against New Zealand in Bengaluru, registering their lowest-ever Test total at home. The visitors completed an eight-wicket victory, their first win in the format on Indian soil since 1988.
With the win in Pune, the Kiwis clinched their maiden Test series win in India.
"I cannot actually fathom what went wrong" - Atul Wassan on India's Test series defeat to New Zealand
Speaking to PTI, Atul Wassan mentioned that he didn't expect India would succumb to a Test series defeat to New Zealand. He remarked that it was tough for him to pinpoint the reason behind the unfavorable result.
Calling India's loss as 'shocking', the 56-year-old said:
"I think it's very difficult to put finger on one thing which went wrong, but it's very shocking for me. I couldn't, even in my wildest dreams, think that we would lose to New Zealand and that too 2-0 in such a manner. I cannot actually fathom what went wrong."
The upcoming third and final Test against New Zealand is of utmost importance for Team India as they look to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC 2023-25) final. The match will be played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from Friday, November 1.