India's surprising 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens has triggered a huge amount of criticism of head coach Gautam Gambhir. With India collapsing to 93 in a chase of 124, the scrutiny has increased, especially because this is the ninth Test loss under Gambhir's stint. However, former India captain and CAB president Sourav Ganguly has rejected suggestions of sacking the coach, instead asking for patience, better planning, and improved surfaces, rather than reactionary decisions.
The loss in Kolkata exposed constant issues in India's Test approach at home, including poor batting on rank turners and over-reliance on spin-friendly surfaces. Under Gambhir, India has lost nine of 18 Tests, including four at home and a 3-0 whitewash to New Zealand last year.
Following the defeat, questions were also raised about the contentious Eden Gardens pitch that turned sharply from Day 1. Ganguly clarified that the BCCI-appointed curators prepared the wicket after receiving requests from the team management, something Gambhir himself confirmed. Ganguly quashed the growing calls to remove Gambhir.