Shortly after South Africa whitewashed India in away Tests (2-0), beating them in Kolkata and Guwahati, rumours of the Indian Cricket Board deciding to look beyond Gambhir in Tests did the rounds on social media.

BCCI secretary denies ‘informal talks with Laxman’ reports, backs Gambhir as all-format coach

Now, it will be interesting to see how Indian bowlers will try to stop South Africa’s strong batting lineup, while the Proteas will look to post a big total and put India under early pressure as they aim to level the five-match T20I series.

IND vs SA, 2nd T20I: Gautam Gambhir loses cool as Arshdeep Singh bowls seven wides in an over - WATCH

With nine matches left ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 which India is co-hosting along with Sri Lanka, Gambhir and Surya would be hoping to not only finalize but also get the players going.

Uthappa says Gambhir's batting order remark will 'backfire' if India's winning run ends in T20Is

India’s defeat to South Africa in the Guwahati Test last month was their 10th under the Gautam Gambhir, having lost more than 50 per cent of the matches

Shahid Afridi reignites verbal feud with Gautam Gambhir, says 'you are not always...'

From MS Dhoni to Gautam Gambhir here is a look at five batters with most IPL runs without a hundred. The list also features popular names like Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Karthik and Faf du Plessis. 

From MS Dhoni to Gautam Gambhir, 5 batters with most IPL runs without a hundred

For the first time in India's Test history, they have been whitewashed twice at home, both under Gautam's tenure, recently against South Africa. 

Gautam Gambhir blasts IPL team owner, media in rant over coaching role criticism

The 37-year-old batter has also pledged to play in domestic 50-over tournament Vijay Hazare Trophy to keep himself match-fit given the next 50-over World Cup still being nearly two years away.

Back-to-back tons and ready to play domestic cricket: What more Kohli needs to do to be in India's plans for 2027 ODI World Cup?

The series loss opened a pandora box in Indian cricket with many asking for removal of Gambhir as the coach in Test cricket at least. Gambhir, meanwhile, has left the fate up to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Ex-Protea AB de Villiers says 'not good thing to have emotional coach' like Gambhir

So far, Gautam Gambhir has taken charge of 19 Test matches for India, winning seven and drawing two. However, it is the number of defeats that make his position more vulnerable.

Should Gambhir continue as India Test team coach after horror show against South Africa? Here's what numbers say

Spinner Simon Harmer took six wickets as South Africa thrashed India by 408 runs in the second Test on Wednesday to sweep the series and condemn the hosts to a record loss.

Pressure mounts on Gautam Gambhir after South Africa debacle, but when is India's next Test series?

In four innings of the two Tests, India's highest team total was 201 which came in the first innings of the Guwahati Test. In rest of the three innings, the home team was able to cross 150-run mark only once. Their limited ability to play spin was painfully visible in the series.

Stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant says India's biggest Test loss is 'little disappointing'

Since New Zealand came to India last year, India now have lost five of seven home Tests with two wins coming against a weakened West Indies before the SA series.

South Africa complete series clean sweep as India succumb to their biggest Test loss by runs in Guwahati

Washington scored 29 off 82 balls in the first innings of India and backed it with 92-ball 31 in the second innings. In Guwahati, Sundar batted at number eight but still emerged as India's highest run scorer in the first innings with 92-ball 48.

IND vs SA: Former pacer Dodda Ganesha call current Indian team most 'confused ever' for THIS reason

In 18 matches in charge of the Indian side in the red-ball format, Gautam Gambhir has guided India to wins in seven matches, along with two draws. However, it is the number of defeats that makes it worse. 

Coach Gautam Gambhir's Test track record: A recipe for disaster or a failed 'transition'?

In the second and final Test of the series in Guwahati, India will be hoping for a win to draw the series. They are still not sure about the participation of skipper Shubman Gill who had retired hurt mid-way in the first Test because of neck spasm.

Former batter Robin Uthappa says India not WTC champion contender in ongoing cycle

Before the loss, India lost Tests at home in a period of seven years of Feb 2017 to Jan 2024. After the last defeat in that period, which came against England in Hyderabad, India had won six matches at home on the trot - making their win-loss record in 34 home Tests at 25-4.

India's loss against South Africa was fourth in last six home Tests - their worst record since 1972

India opted to two pacers in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj along with Kuldeep Yadav as a specialist spinner. They also had Washington Sundar, who batter at number three, and Axar Patel as two spin all-rounders. The selection meant India were made to sit out a specialist batter.

IND vs SA, 1st Test: Former pacer Venkatesh Prasad calls out 'over-tactical thinking' for loss

 Head coach Gautam Gambhir, after India lost the first Test on Sunday (Nov 16) by 30 runs in a chase of 124, said that Gill is "still being assessed."

Gill out of hospital but 'still being assessed' for second Test, says head coach Gambhir

IND vs SA, 1st Test | Play on good wickets. Hope Gambhir is...': Ganguly's bold message to India head coach

IND vs SA, 1st Test: 'You want to be part of...', says SA skipper Temba Bavuma after emphatic win

India, playing at the Eden Gardens, were bowled out for 93 in their second innings as they lost by 30 runs as South Africa took a 1-0 lead in series. 

IND vs SA: Gambhir refuses to blame pitch for India's disappointing loss, says 'it was exactly what we asked'

The Indian team made a string of experiments during the Australia vs India series recently, with Tilak Varma sitting out for one of the matches, while Jitesh Sharma was also preferred in the Playing XI. 

Gautam Gambhir hints at possible changes ahead of T20 World Cup, says 'batting orders are very overrated'

Arshdeep removed two Australian wickets in his first two overs upon returning to the Indian team for the third T20I in Hobart.

IND vs AUS 3rd T20I: Social media buzzes over Arshdeep Singh’s return; India make 3 changes, Harshit benched

With Kohli, Pujara, and Rohit Sharma retired along with  Rahane sidelined, Sudharsan was seen as one of the batters to plug the middle-order hole. After his not so great debut series in England and the first Test at home against West Indies, he came good in the second Test in Delhi.

Sai Sudharsan lauds Gambhir's backing, says coach told him 'don't think that you have to score runs' before Delhi Test vs WI

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BCCI secretary denies ‘informal talks with Laxman’ reports, backs Gambhir as all-format coach

Gautam Gambhir loses cool as Arshdeep Singh bowls seven wides in an over - WATCH

Uthappa says Gambhir's batting order remark will 'backfire'

Afridi reignites verbal feud with Gambhir, says 'you are not always...'

From MS Dhoni to Gautam Gambhir, 5 batters with most IPL runs without a hundred

Gautam Gambhir blasts IPL team owner, media in rant over coaching role criticism

What more Kohli needs to do to be in India's plans for 2027 ODI World Cup

Ex-Protea De Villiers says 'not good thing to have emotional coach' like Gambhir

Should Gambhir continue as India Test coach after horror show vs South Africa?

Pressure mounts on Gautam Gambhir, but when is India's next Test series?

Rishabh Pant says India's biggest Test loss is 'little disappointing'

SA complete series sweep as India lose Guwahati Test by 408 runs

IND vs SA: Ex-pacer says current India team most 'confused ever' for THIS reason

Coach Gautam Gambhir's Test track record: A recipe for disaster or a failed 'transition'?

Former batter Uthappa says India not WTC champion contender in ongoing cycle

India's loss vs SA was fourth in last six home Tests - worst record since 1972

IND vs SA, 1st Test: Ex-pacer Prasad calls out 'over-tactical thinking' for loss

Gill out of hospital but 'still being assessed' for second Test, says Gambhir

IND vs SA, 1st Test | Play on good wickets. Hope Gambhir is...': Ganguly

IND vs SA, 1st Test: 'You want to be part of...', says SA skipper Temba Bavuma

IND vs SA: Gambhir refuses to blame pitch for India's disappointing loss

Gautam Gambhir hints at possible changes ahead of T20 World Cup

Social media buzzes over Arshdeep’s return; India make 3 changes, Harshit out

Sudharsan lauds coach Gambhir's backing after rough start to Test career