Sandeep Patil defends Gautam Gambhir, questions batters amid Test slump

India's Test cricket unit has faced significant setbacks following defeats to New Zealand and South Africa played on home soil. These losses have exposed weaknesses in the batting lineup's ability to handle quality spin bowling on turning pitches. The upcoming Sri Lanka tour in August 2026 looms as another critical examination of the team's capacity to perform under similar conditions.

Former India chief selector Sandeep Patil has stepped forward to defend head coach Gautam Gambhir while directing criticism at the batting unit. Patil argued that responsibility for the team's struggles should not fall solely on the coach's shoulders.

"The Sri Lanka tour is crucial for everyone; why only Gambhir? If Gambhir has failed to perform, so have the players. It is not right to pick on one guy." Patil said while speaking to the Times of India.

"We were not able to play spinners and lost the home series against New Zealand because they came prepared. They practised on turning wickets. Whereas our team was practising at the CoE on good tracks," he added.

Patil backs Gambhir while criticising batting approach

Patil's statement underscores a fundamental issue within the Indian batting setup. The team's preparation methods have not adequately equipped players to face spinners on surfaces that favour turn. New Zealand arrived with specific match practice on turning wickets, giving them a tactical advantage that India failed to counter.

India currently occupies fifth position in the World Test Championship standings with nine matches completed. The team has recorded four victories and four defeats from these nine encounters. With limited matches remaining in the championship cycle, India's prospects of reaching the WTC final at Lord's in June 2027 have become increasingly difficult.

Rajput emphasises need for patience during transition

The Sri Lanka series will form part of the World Test Championship cycle, making it essential for India to reverse its recent form. Any continuation of the current performance trajectory would further damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final. The conditions expected in Sri Lanka are likely to present similar challenges to those faced at home.

Lalchand Rajput, the former Zimbabwe coach, has offered a contrasting perspective on the situation. Rajput emphasised the importance of patience during a transition phase for the Indian team, particularly as the squad navigates structural changes following the retirements of senior players from multiple formats.

"I still feel that as a coach, there will be ups and downs. You can’t be winning all the time. The Indian team is going through a rebuilding process. And when the team is going through it, you have to give more time to the players and the coach. Greats like Rohit and Kohli have quit two formats, while India have a new T20 captain in Shreyas Iyer and have tried several new players in the T20 series in England," Rajput said.

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Rajput's remarks highlighted the structural changes within Indian cricket following the retirements of senior players from multiple formats. The team navigated a period of transition with new leadership in T20 cricket and continued experimentation in the shorter format. This rebuilding phase required sustained backing for both the coaching staff and the playing unit.