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Calls to “Sack Gautam Gambhir ASAP” flooded social media after India were comprehensively outplayed by South Africa in the two-match Test series at home. The visitors dominated the second Test in Guwahati after setting a 549-run target and then skittling India for just 140 in their second innings.
India lost the match by a huge margin of 408 runs and the Test series against South Africa after 25-long years. After witnessing India suffer a series whitewash at home, fan anger boiled over, with hashtags targeting the head coach trending across platforms.
“Sack Gambhir” trends on social media after India faces series defeat on home soil
As India batting collapsed at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, frustrated supporters vented their ire at Gautam Gambhir, blaming his tactics, selections and constant chopping and changing for the team’s decline in red-ball cricket. Posts demanding his sacking, including messages like “Remove coach Gautam Gambhir and see how this team starts winning home Tests again” and “Sack Gambhir between the Test if you have any shame left”, went viral as the meltdown unfolded. The phrase “Sack Gautam Gambhir ASAP” trended prominently on X, with many users accusing the former opener of “ruining” India’s Test setup through over-experimentation and an alleged preference for IPL-style players.
Sack Gautam Gambhir ASAP
— Kumar Sourav (@AdamDhoni1)
I say it one more time
Gautam Gambhir has completely destroyed the Indian cricket team.
— Mamta Jaipal (@ImMD45)
— Punam🦋 (@missintrover)
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 Under Gambhir in (𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁/𝗢𝗗𝗜𝘀)
– After 27yrs, Lost a Bilateral ODI Series vs SL
– For 1st time, Lost 30 Wickets in a 3 match ODI Series
– After 45yrs, India Remained Winless in a Calendar Year in ODIs
– After 36yrs, India Lost Test v NZ at Home
– After 19yrs,…— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar)
I demand Bharat Ratna from Indian govt for Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar for these herculean achievements for Team India in just 1 year
— Vinay Kumar Dokania (@VinayDokania)
South Africa Won their first Test series Vs India in India After 25 Years
Lord Gautam Gambhir for the reason |
— Vishal (@VishalMalvi_)
South Africa finally win a Test series vs India in India after 25 years.
And yes, Lord Gautam Gambhir is the reason behind it. |— Rudra Sukhadia (@RudraSukhadia)
I've told you, this dark era for Indian cricket under Gautam Gambhir, will be known as the 2G scam.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats)
Thank You Gautam Gambhir for making us the most embarrassing test team in the world!!
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841)
Shastri era 🗿
Dravid era 🗿
Gambhir era 🤡— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda)
Gambhir’s Test record under scrutiny as legends join criticism
Gambhir’s Test record as head coach has come under sharp scrutiny, with India suffering a 0-2 whitewash at home to South Africa, 0-3 against New Zealand and a 3-1 series defeat in Australia during his tenure. While India managed a 2-0 home win over West Indies, they handed South Africa only their second Test series victory in India in 25 years, a run that significantly eroded fan patience. Former India stars Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble and Kris Srikkanth also publicly questioned India’s muddled selection and tactical calls, further amplifying the pressure on Gambhir.
One of the biggest flashpoints has been Gambhir’s strategy of seeking spin-friendly pitches at home, a move critics say has repeatedly backfired with batting collapses on turning tracks. His preference for loading the XI with multiple all-rounders and dropping established red-ball performers in favour of shorter-format specialists has also sparked debate about the team’s direction. The collapse in Guwahati, where India lost six wickets for 27 runs after a solid start in the first innings, was earlier seen by fans as a symptom of deeper structural issues rather than just a bad day in the middle.
Also READ: IND vs SA – Anil Kumble and Cheteshwar Pujara respond to South Africa coach’s controversial remark
