New Delhi, 25 Nov

Former India batter Suresh Raina has backed under-fire national head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying the team’s recent poor run in home Tests cannot be pinned on the support staff, and that players must take responsibility for performances.

India, after being shockingly whitewashed at home by New Zealand last year, are staring at another poor result in the ongoing two-match series against South Africa, having lost the opening Test.

“Gauti bhaiya (Gautam Gambhir) has worked really hard and he is not at fault. The players have to work hard and play well. Under him we have done well in white-ball cricket, winning the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this year,” Raina told PTI Videos.

“The players have to score. The coach can only guide, advise and support,” he said on the sidelines of the Indian Softball Cricket League jersey launch, where he was unveiled as brand ambassador.

Raina dismissed suggestions that Gambhir’s future as head coach is in jeopardy due to India’s recent home Test results.

“If players are facing any issues, they must communicate them to the coach. If players do well, the coach is applauded. But if the team does not perform, it should not automatically mean the coach is sacked,” he said.

“I have played with Gautam bhaiya. He loves the Indian cricket team and the game itself. I won the World Cup with him. He has done a lot for the country and it is the players’ responsibility to deliver,” he added.

Responding to criticism of selection decisions in the ongoing series, Raina said domestic performances should remain the benchmark.

“They should play domestic cricket regularly and do well there. If they perform, it will reflect at the international level,” he said.

He also noted the challenges of modern cricket, including frequent format changes and tight scheduling.

“Series planning can be better. Players have to switch quickly from white-ball to red-ball cricket and have limited time. They must also improve their application in the middle,” he said.

Raina said he is looking forward to the ODI series beginning 30 November, where senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will return.

“Ro-Ko (Rohit and Virat) will be back. They did well in Australia and will strengthen the ODI squad. They are great ambassadors for world and Indian cricket. With them back, the atmosphere will be different. Rishabh Pant is also returning, so it will be fun to watch,” he said.

The Indian Softball Cricket League (ISCL) will feature 32 teams.

Reflecting on the importance of softball cricket, Raina said the format plays a key role in shaping young players.

“Softball cricket has its own challenges. We played it before turning professional. This league will give youngsters a platform to showcase talent and dream big,” he said.

He added that several leading cricketers started in the softball circuit.

“Players like Jasprit Bumrah and Lakshmipathy Balaji began with softball cricket and made it big. It is a different challenge — batters must handle bounce and variations,” he said.