Former England captain Michael Atherton said that fans could lose patience with Gautam Gambhir if India loses another Test series. Atherton noted that the team’s recent Test record may not bode well for Gambhir as India trailed 1-2 going into the series-deciding fifth Test at The Oval. After a series of losses to New Zealand at home and Australia away, the former opener is already under scrutiny, so another defeat could significantly raise his profile.
“Well, they’ve lost two series in a row. They lost at home to New Zealand 3-0, and they lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1. If they lose this series, then yeah, he’s under pressure as a coach,” Atherton said on Sky Sports.
“India, with all their resources, their population strength, they’re not a team that people are patient with. They’re expected to win every time they walk onto the park. So three Test series defeats in a row would be a problem for him,” he added.
Before the start of the Oval Test, Gambhir addressed his players with an inspiring team talk, in a video shared by the BCCI.
“Guys, all I want to say is, there are two ways of looking at this tour,” Gambhir said passionately.
“One is that we are without our three most experienced players, or we’ve got this phenomenal opportunity to do something special for the country, because there is no bigger honour,” he added.
“Don’t mind losing the toss as long as we win the game. Was a bit confused yesterday about what to do, was a bit overcast but the wicket looks good, we’ll look to post good runs in the first innings. Should be a good pitch for the bowlers. We look to win every game. We have come close in every game and it is about the extra five or 10 per cent, so boys will be giving it their all,” said India captain Shubman Gill at the toss.
