'Gambhir took it upon himself but...': Sitanshu Kotak senses agenda behind head coach's criticism

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak came out in the defence of head coach Gautam Gambhir on Thursday, saying that some people criticising the former lawmaker have an “agenda”. Gambhir has borne the brunt of criticism for India’s shocking Test losses at home since 2024. Kotak emphasised that players too have to be held accountable for poor results.

“Everyone is going after only Gautam Gambhir, perhaps because certain individuals have agenda," Kotak said. “No one is talking about how the players have performed," he added.

India batting coach also said that the Indian management wants pitches that stretch the match to at least four days.

“Gambhir took it upon himself but we have been asking for a pitch that will start turning from day three and the match lasts four-four and a half days," he explained.

Earlier, Gambhir had called the rank-turner in Kolkata as the exact surface the team had asked for.

India’s poor form at home

India’s loss to South Africa in the series opener in Kolkata was their first Test defeat to the Proteas at home since 2010. It was also the team’s fourth Test loss in the last six games on Indian soil, all of which have come under Gambhir.

Before South Africa loss, India had also been humbled 3-0 by New Zealand at home in 2024. It was one of the lowest moments in Indian Test cricket history as for the first time, India were whitewashed 3-0 at home. It also marked the end of India’s unbeaten Test series run at home that had been going on since 2012-13.

Gambhir’s poor resource management and overemphasis on all-rounders have been heavily criticised. The choice of pitches from the team management has also come under scrutiny, with Indian batters unable to adjust to the conditions.

Despite the losses against New Zealand, India once again went in with a sharply turning track for the first Test against South Africa, only to get skittled for 93 in the second innings and lose by 30 runs.

Former cricketers like AB de Villiers and Cheteshwar Pujara have urged the Indian team to play on better batting tracks.