“When he won the IPL, he was the same” – Sourav Ganguly backs under-fire Gautam Gambhir amid criticism after NZ series loss

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has put his weight behind head coach Gautam Gambhir after India suffered a 0-3 Test series loss against New Zealand. Earlier, India suffered a 0-2 ODI series against Sri Lanka under Gambhir’s tutelage.

Meanwhile, Gambhir played an instrumental role in taking Kolkata Knight Riders to glory in IPL 2024 as a mentor. However, Gambhir has come under fire after the Test series loss against the Kiwis as India were playing at home.

The Rohit Sharma-led team was totally outplayed by New Zealand in all three departments of the game and they will need to turn a corner against Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series.

Sourav Ganguly said on RevSportz, “All I will say is let him be. I saw some criticism on what he said in the press conference. It is the way he is. Let him be. When he won the IPL, he was the same. You were going gaga over him. Just because he has lost three Test matches and a one-day series against Sri Lanka, the straight talk has not been looked at nicely. But that is the way he is.

Ganguly said Australia have always played their cricket in a tough way and similarly Gambhir should back his aggressive approach.

“And why not? Australians, from the time I have watched cricket, they have been tough for you. They have played their cricket that way, whether it was [Steve] Waugh, [Ricky] Ponting or [Matthew] Hayden. So, there is nothing wrong with what Gambhir has said. That is the way he is, and he fights. He competes, so let us give him a chance. It has just been two-three months, and you are passing judgment on him.”

On the other hand, Gambhir recently said he isn’t feeling the social media heat despite suffering a 3-0 loss against the Kiwis at home.

“What difference does it make tell me? Social media what difference does it make in my life? And for that matter, anyone’s life. And when I took up this job, I always think it’s going to be a highly difficult job and highly prestigious job as well. And honestly, I don’t think as if I’m feeling the heat, because my job is to be absolutely honest.”

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.