Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali strongly criticized India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, following the team’s loss in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. Ali, known for his outspoken nature, sarcastically suggested that Gambhir deserved applause for his coaching tactics. The crushing defeat, by a margin of 184 runs, gave Australia a 2-1 lead in the five-match series and dealt a serious blow to India’s hopes of reaching the ICC World Test Championship final.
India’s performance in the fourth Test drew heavy scrutiny, particularly due to their lacklustre batting display. Despite being in a position to save—or even win—the match, the team crumbled under pressure. The focus of criticism has largely shifted from skipper Rohit Sharma to head coach Gautam Gambhir. Under Gambhir’s tenure, India’s results in Test cricket have been underwhelming.
The ongoing Border-Gavaskar series follows a string of disappointing performances, including a historic whitewash at home against Sri Lanka in Tests and a loss in the ODI series to the same opponent.
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Basit Ali, in a video posted on his YouTube channel, lambasted Gambhir for his strategies and decisions. He pointed out inconsistencies in Gambhir’s approach, particularly in his advocacy for a left-right batting combination in ODIs. Ali questioned why similar tactics weren’t applied during the Melbourne Test, specifically criticizing the decision to send Nitish Reddy to bat at No. 6.
“Congratulations to Gautam Gambhir for his brilliant strategies in one-day cricket, always emphasizing the left-right combination. But where was that today? Sending Nitish Reddy at No. 6 could have made a difference. Even if he got out early, it would have shown some intent,” Basit Ali remarked. He also criticized the Indian batting coach, questioning their ability to guide players on how to tackle bowlers and survive under pressure.
Basit Ali went further, urging India to reconsider their coaching structure. He suggested appointing separate coaches for white-ball and red-ball formats, emphasizing the need for specialized expertise. “This is the time for India to bring in separate coaches for Tests and limited-overs cricket. If they don’t, the team will continue to decline,” he warned.
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The former cricketer also praised Australia for their meticulous planning and resilience. “Australia showed brilliant planning and self-belief. That’s the difference between the batters of the ‘90s and the post-2010 generation. Players from the past understood the opposition’s strategies quickly and adapted. Today’s players lack that situational awareness,” he added.
Basit Ali’s pointed criticism and suggestions underline the growing concerns about India’s cricketing strategy and coaching under Gambhir, as the team faces mounting challenges on multiple fronts.
