Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach is rapidly becoming one of the most debated topics in cricket. Since taking charge, his team has suffered two heavy Test defeats — first a 3–0 whitewash against New Zealand and now a 2–0 loss to South Africa. Both defeats came in India, a venue once considered near-impossible for visiting teams.
For years, India enjoyed an unbroken streak of home Test dominance. Between 2013 and early 2024, no team managed to beat them in a series on Indian soil. That formidable run ended abruptly, exposing deeper concerns about the team’s strategy and leadership.
Critics point to Gambhir’s selection choices, particularly his emphasis on all-rounders and his reluctance to back specialist players. Many argue that this approach has backfired and destabilised the squad. Several former Indian cricketers have voiced frustration, and now AB de Villiers has added his perspective — though more gently.
Appearing on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel, de Villiers shared his observations about Gambhir as a player and how that temperament could influence his coaching.
“Gambhir was always emotional on the field,” de Villiers said. “If that intensity transfers into his coaching, it can be difficult for players. Emotional coaches usually struggle to step back and view things clearly.”
Yet de Villiers was cautious and avoided labelling Gambhir. “We don’t know what he’s like behind closed doors. He might be calm and analytical when it comes to coaching.”
He emphasised that leadership in cricket is not a one-size-fits-all concept.
“Different players respond to different influences,” he explained. “Some feel inspired by a former international cricketer as coach. Others prefer someone who has spent decades studying the game. There’s value in both types.”
Observers believe India is in a transition period after the departure of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ashwin from Test cricket. Without strong anchors, younger players appear to be struggling under pressure.
Despite this, de Villiers remains optimistic about India’s future. “There’s no need for panic,” he said. “India have enormous talent and depth. They just need to find the right combination.”
He also highlighted the leadership of South Africa’s Test captain Temba Bavuma, who remains unbeaten as captain. According to de Villiers, Bavuma’s success challenges traditional ideas about what a leader should look like.
“At first, I wasn’t sure whether Temba could lead successfully,” he confessed. “But he proved everyone wrong. He isn’t loud or imposing like Graeme Smith, but his quiet strength has created results. Leadership arrives in many forms.”