Gautam Gambhir defends Indian cricket team after series defeat in South Africa

Gautam Gambhir urged fans to appreciate South Africa’s showing and continue to believe in Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has received a lot of flak for his team selection during India’s second Test against South Africa at Super Sport Park in Centurion. Kohli’s decision to drop Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who was India’s most successful bowler in the first Test in Cape Town, and overlook Ajinkya Rahane, who has an outstanding record abroad, didn’t go down well with both experts and fans.

India lost the opening two Tests of the three-match series against South Africa to lose the series. (BCCI)

A host of former cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag, made their displeasure with Kohli’s selection policy known in public.

With India suffering a 135-run defeat in Centurion, thereby giving South Africa an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, there has been criticism of Kohli and the Indian team from various quarters. However, the under-fire Indian team has received support from Gautam Gambhir, who tweeted on Wednesday to show his appreciation for Kohli and Team India besides urging fans to not be overly critical.

“Its time to show support for Indian team and not being over-the-top critical. This was the team that had such a fabulous run, two games don’t make them bad. Rather than being severe on our boys, let’s just give credit to d opposition @BCCI. Simple: Well played @OfficialCSA,” Gambhir wrote in his tweet.

Resuming at 35/3 while chasing a target of 287, India were bundled out for 151 just before lunch with debutant pacer Lungi Ngidi claiming a six-for and walking away with the-man-of-the-match award. This was India’s first Test series defeat under Kohli’s captaincy. Coming into South Africa, India had won nine Test series on the trot under his captaincy.

The third and last Test of the series begins in Johannesburg from January 24.