South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has shared his thoughts on India’s struggles in Test cricket under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Bavuma said India was going through a transitional phase in the red-ball format and pointed out that results in white-ball cricket could help Gambhir find ways to rebuild the Indian Test squad.

India’s strong home record in Test cricket has declined in recent years. After a 12-year unbeaten run at home, New Zealand surprised them by winning 3-0 in their three Test matches in 2024. South Africa also won a Test series in India last year, their first victory in red-ball cricket on Indian soil since 2000.

However, under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir, India won the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup. The poor Test results have raised concerns as India sit fifth in the current World Test Championship standings.

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Gautam Gambhir has a lot of pressure on his shoulders – Temba Bavuma

In a column for ESPNcricinfo, Temba Bavuma compared India’s struggles in Test matches to South Africa’s situation in 2019 after losing several senior players. Bavuma added that Gautam Gambhir is under immense pressure and will need patience to stabilize the team’s performance in red-ball cricket.

“When it comes to the red ball, India are definitely a team in transition. If I think of the Proteas Test team in 2019 – that was seven years ago – we went through the same type of process or phase when we lost some of the big boys. So, there is nothing unique about where India are in Test cricket.,” Bavuma wrote in a column for ESPNCricinfo.

“There is a lot of pressure on India coach Gautam Gambhir’s shoulders and I think he has to accept it. He has to find a way to buy time for himself in red-ball cricket and I think the performance in white-ball cricket might help him,” he added.

I’m not really in favor of this rule – Temba Bavuma sacks Gautam Gambhir as Test coach

Bavuma said he did not support the split coaching system, adding that it would cause confusion among players. He also said that the Proteas had tried to separate the red-ball and white-ball coaching roles in 2023, noting that the idea seemed logical at the time.

“Some may feel more that Gambhir should continue to take charge of the white-ball duties and let others carry out the Test cricket duties. The division of red-ball and white-ball coaching roles is something we have tried in the Proteas organization in 2023,” Bavuma added.

“There was logic behind the split rule back then. But now, having one coach across all formats is better for the players from a continuity perspective. Also, it’s advantageous from a philosophy and playing style perspective. I think a lot of teams don’t use the split system anymore, and to be honest, I’m not really in favor of the rule.”

Gautam Gambhir controls his current group of test players – Temba Bavuma

Gautam Gambhir needs to show confidence in his Test players, Temba Bavuma said, adding that they must contribute when the team needs them the most. Bavuma said the team must accept the difficult times of overseas tours and focus on long-term goals.

“In terms of the way Gambhir is controlling his current group of Test players, I think it’s best to say clearly: ‘Guys, these few months on the road are going to be tough, but let’s look at the long term. “But he’s going to have to support his horses, and at some point those horses are going to have to leave their pens and gallop for him,” the veteran claimed.

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