Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team got off to a rocky start this week as Team India suffered a humiliating defeat against Sri Lanka in an ODI series. This marked the first time in 27 years that India had lost an ODI series to Sri Lanka, sparking a wave of online criticism and mockery directed at the newly appointed coach.
Social media platforms erupted with reactions to the loss, with many users expressing their disappointment and frustration. Several users humorously pointed out that Gambhir, who previously received praise for India’s World Cup victory, was now being blamed for the Sri Lanka loss. Others took to Twitter to share sarcastic memes and comments, highlighting India’s shocking performance.
One X user quipped, “So proud of Gautam Gambhir for winning the silver in Sri Lanka,” while another sarcastically questioned, “You lost against teams like Sri Lanka after 30 years. Kya hal bana diya bhai tune cricket ka…” A third user expressed concern, stating, “Is this the same Indian team that performed much better before Gautam Gambhir became coach? Losing an ODI series to Sri Lanka, who are missing their top players, is concerning. It seems the downfall started with Gautam Gambhir’s era.”
Adding to the pressure, the loss occurred during the Paris Games, leading to further mockery directed at Gambhir. Posts shared by Gambhir congratulating medal-winning athletes also backfired, with many comments referencing India’s dismal performance in the Sri Lanka series. One comment read, “The cricket team will play so badly under Gauti Bhai’s coaching that people will automatically start watching hockey. Thanks Gauti Bhai.” Another user, seemingly confused by the situation, wrote, “Gautam Gambhir era and Sri Lanka won against India in ODI series after 27 years. And now Pakistan defeated India at Olympics. Shame on Gambhir disgrace of nation.”
India’s defeat came after three consecutive batting collapses, culminating in a dismal score of 138 runs in the final ODI. Sri Lanka, missing several key players, clinched the series 2-0 after the opening match ended in a tie. This victory marked Sri Lanka’s first bilateral series win over India in the 50-over format since 1997.
As the online criticism intensifies, Gambhir faces a tough challenge in rebuilding the team’s confidence and regaining the trust of fans. Whether he can overcome this setback and turn the tide remains to be seen.
