Defeat in Kolkata ignites scrutiny — and a strong defense from the board
India’s 30-run defeat to South Africa in the opening Test at Eden Gardens has sparked intense scrutiny — not just of the result, but of the decisions that led to it. With the home team requesting a spin-friendly pitch that ultimately backfired, and head coach Gautam Gambhir confirming post-match that the surface was prepared at the team’s request, critics have been vocal. From the team’s batting order choices to the nature of the pitch, Gambhir has come under fire across social media and sections of the media.
But amid the rising backlash, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has broken its silence — with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stepping forward in support of both Gambhir and the broader team management.
“The BCCI has full confidence in our selectors, our coaching team, including the head coach and the players. We do not distinguish anybody. We give full support, and that is why they are doing well,” Saikia told RevSportz, reinforcing that the board’s belief in the leadership remains unshaken.
He addressed the online reaction directly, urging perspective. “As you were saying, if somebody is losing a match, there is flak on social media. That we are always ignoring, because at the same time, with the same team, we are winning the Champions Trophy, we are performing exceedingly well in the Asia Cup, we won the trophy, and we levelled the series against England in England.”
A new era begins after high-profile retirements
India’s defeat in Kolkata also came in the context of a significant transitional phase for the team. The retirements of R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli from Test cricket have left considerable experience gaps, which the current management is working to fill.
“There is a long way to go. We are having a pretty new team with the retirement of R Ashwin, Virat Kohli, as well as Rohit Sharma; three top players who are quite senior in the team with their experience. They have left Test cricket and therefore we are grooming a new team under the captaincy of Shubman Gill,” Saikia said.
With the Guwahati Test already underway and heading into Day 3, Saikia urged fans to temper expectations and show faith in the emerging squad. “So we have to have patience, we must boost up their confidence, and we should not get ourselves into some knee-jerk reactions after one sudden defeat. So, I am sure our boys will get back their confidence in the Guwahati Test and in the coming days they will perform superbly and your opinion about Indian Test cricket will change very soon.”
Kotak: “It becomes all about Gambhir”
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also pushed back on the wave of criticism, particularly targeting the narrative that has placed all blame on Gambhir’s shoulders. Speaking ahead of the second Test, Kotak defended both the team’s broader strategy and the head coach’s role in managing fallout from the loss.
“Gautam took the blame on himself because he didn’t want the curators to take the blame. Definitely, when we play in India — just like other countries play to their strengths — we rely on spin. We usually expect matches to last four to four-and-a-half days with some help for spin. Fast bowlers remain in the game on Day 1 and Day 2,” he said.
He also questioned the selective nature of the criticism: “People are only talking about Gautam Gambhir. Nobody is mentioning what the batters did or even what the batting coach could have done better. In the games we lose, it becomes all about Gambhir. Maybe some people have their individual agendas.”
As the second Test unfolds in Guwahati, the Indian team and its management find themselves not just fighting for a series-levelling win — but also navigating a broader conversation about support, patience, and the cost of transition in a post-Kohli, post-Rohit era.
