NEW DELHI: Not just the team, but the entire coaching staff is also to be blamed for the 1-3 series defeat against Australia, according to cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar.
As India crashed to a six-wicket defeat in Sydney on Sunday, the Aussies not only reclaimed the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014-15 but also secured a spot in the World Test Championship final in June at Lord’s against South Africa.
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The host broadcaster shared a video of Gavaskar speaking after the series defeat on their official X handle.
Gavaskar says, “What was your coaching staff doing? The bowling coach, the batting coach, see against New Zealand when we had been bowled for 46, and the way we were defeated in the remaining matches, our batting was not strong enough. Here also our batting was not strong enough, so questions should be asked what have you guys done? Why can’t we see any improvement? We understand here the bowling was top class and our batters couldn’t face them, fine. Even the greatest batters have difficulty in facing good bowling.”
Gavaskar continues, “But when good bowling is not happening then tell me what has the coaching staff done? You may ask should we change the batting order, I will ask should we change the coaching staff? We have 2-3 months before going to England. I’m not talking about the Champions Trophy. I’m talking about the five-Test series ahead of us. I was a Test cricketer, I understand ODI cricket, but not like Test cricket. So I will also ask what have you (India coaching staff) done? How do you plan to improve the Indian cricketers? Throw downs will not get you anything. You had to improve their technique and temperament, which you haven’t done. So make sure that ask questions from the batters who have not made runs, but also ask the coaching staff what have they done?”
The Indian team has Gautam Gambhir as the head coach, Abhishek Nayar as the batting coach, Ryan ten Doeschate as an assistant coach, T Dilip as the fielding coach and Morne Morkel as the bowling coach.
Australia chased down the 162-run target just after lunch on the third day after wrapping up India’s second innings in quick time for 157.
Australia won the series 3-1 after victories in Adelaide and Melbourne, to go with a nervy, yet successful, run-chase in the final innings in Sydney. India won the first Test at Perth and the third Test at Brisbane was a draw.
