Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg has taken aim at Gautam Gambhir and India’s management following their disappointing 1-3 loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), marking the first time in a decade that India lost the prestigious series. The defeat also cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, raising questions about the team’s strategies and management decisions.
Hogg Questions Gambhir’s Approach
Gautam Gambhir, who is serving as India’s head coach, had previously emphasized the need for adaptability and an aggressive playing style, balanced with a defensive approach when necessary. However, Hogg believes the team failed to deliver on this vision during the five-match series.
“Gambhir wanted his players to adapt—play an aggressive brand of cricket but also know when to defend and save a match. I didn’t see that adaptability from the Indian team throughout the series,” Hogg stated on his YouTube channel.
Selection Panel Under Scrutiny
Hogg also pointed out flaws in the selection process, criticizing the panel for picking players who underperformed under pressure. He highlighted the importance of long-term planning, which he felt was lacking.
“You have to question the selection panel. Who chose the players and squads for these crucial matches? What’s the long-term plan? India was expected to reach the WTC final but failed. The last few months have been disastrous for them. This puts additional pressure on the coaching staff,” Hogg remarked.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Struggles
Hogg noted that the team’s struggles cannot be attributed to a single factor, pointing out the poor form of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both stalwarts had below-par performances in recent Test series, which added to India’s challenges.
“Is it Gambhir who needs to step down? Or should a new head coach bring in an entirely fresh support staff? Let’s not forget Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—two key leaders—were not at their best either. There are several factors behind India’s Test struggles during this WTC cycle,” Hogg concluded.
A Tough Road Ahead
With the WTC cycle ending in disappointment, India’s management, coaching staff, and players face mounting pressure to address the issues and rebuild their Test side. Whether changes will be made to the coaching setup or player selection strategies remains to be seen, but it is clear that Indian cricket is at a critical juncture.
