Former cricketer Yograj Singh has come to the defense of India head coach Gautam Gambhir, emphasizing that criticism is unwarranted given Gambhir’s effective leadership. Under Gambhir’s guidance, India achieved a historic Test victory at Edgbaston, marking their first win at this venue. The team showcased a commanding performance, culminating in a decisive 336-run victory over England on the final day of the second Test.

Before this triumph, Gambhir faced scrutiny due to India’s poor performance in Test cricket. However, Yograj Singh expressed optimism about India’s prospects and urged critics to support Gambhir and the team. He highlighted the contributions of former players like Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, and Rahul Dravid, who continue to give back to the sport. Yograj stressed that even if India does not win the series, the team should not be demoralized.

Gambhir’s leadership was questioned after India allowed England to secure a five-wicket victory in the series opener in Leeds. Despite his success in white-ball cricket, Gambhir struggled to replicate that aggression in Tests. Before leveling the series at 1-1, India had endured a challenging period, losing seven of their previous nine Tests since their home series against New Zealand last October. This included a whitewash by New Zealand and a 3-1 defeat in Australia.

India’s fortunes began to change with a significant 295-run victory over Australia in Perth and a weather-assisted draw in Brisbane. The win at Edgbaston has reignited hopes of extending their winning streak at Lord’s in the third Test, aiming for their first lead in the five-match series.