Former India batter Suresh Raina has come out strongly in support of national head coach Gautam Gambhir, urging critics not to pin India’s recent home Test struggles on the support staff. According to Raina, the responsibility for on-field performances lies primarily with the players, not the coach, who can only guide and shape the environment.

India’s Test side has been under pressure ever since the shock whitewash at home against New Zealand last year. Now, with the team staring at another potential series defeat after losing the opening Test to South Africa, questions have resurfaced around leadership, planning, and player execution. But Raina insists that Gambhir is not the problem.

“Gauti bhaiya has worked really hard, and he is not at all at fault. The players have to work really hard and play well,” Suresh Raina told PTI during the Indian Softball Cricket League jersey launch, where he was announced as brand ambassador. He highlighted that under Gambhir, India has thrived in limited-overs cricket, winning both the ICC Champions Trophy and Asia Cup earlier this year.

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Raina made it clear that coaching roles are often misunderstood. “The players have to score; the coach can only guide, advise, and support. If players are facing challenges, they should openly communicate with the coach instead of letting criticism flow in the wrong direction,” he said.

He firmly denied any rumours about Gambhir’s job being at risk, reminding fans that Gambhir’s contribution to Indian cricket—both as a player and now as a mentor—has always been immense.

Drawing from his own experience playing alongside Gambhir, including the 2011 World Cup win, Suresh Raina added, “He loves Indian cricket deeply. It is the players’ responsibilitXy to step up and deliver.”

Addressing the selection debates in the ongoing series, Raina stressed that domestic cricket should remain the foundation of India’s Test setup. He urged players to consistently perform in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic competitions to build stronger match temperament and adaptability.

Raina also shed light on the modern cricketing calendar, where teams constantly shift between formats. According to him, transitioning abruptly from white-ball cricket to red-ball Tests can impact rhythm, preparation, and mental sharpness. “Planning can be better, but players must also improve their application in the middle.”

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Looking ahead, Raina expressed excitement for the upcoming ODI series beginning November 30, especially with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant returning. “Ro-Ko are back, and that changes the atmosphere instantly. They did well in Australia and will surely strengthen India against South Africa,” he said, adding that their presence alone lifts the team’s mindset.

With India under scrutiny and pressure rising, Raina’s voice of support comes as a timely reminder that while criticism is part of the game, accountability must be balanced—and players must ultimately deliver when it matters most.