'Gambhir comes for press conference only when India wins' - Sadagoppan Ramesh questions head coach's accountability

Sadagoppan Ramesh has raised concerns about Gautam Gambhir's approach to accountability when India faces poor performances in Test cricket. The former India cricketer questioned the head coach's willingness to face the media during difficult periods, contrasting his availability after victories with his absence following defeats.

Ramesh directly addressed remarks Gambhir made following India's first Test against Sri Lanka during the recently-concluded tour, where the head coach spoke about the team's direction and performance trajectory. The criticism centres on what Ramesh perceives as a selective media engagement strategy that avoids direct questioning during periods when India underperforms in red-ball cricket.

"Rankings do not matter. I think we are going through a transition, and I’m sure that people sitting in the press box and the commentary box know that. Despite that, yes, there will be blips, there will be ups and downs, but since the England tour last year, I think we’ve played reasonably consistent cricket. We know where we are heading, and we are heading in the right direction," Gambhir had said after the Galle Test in a press conference.

Ramesh disputed this assessment and highlighted what he saw as contradictory messaging from the head coach's office. He pointed out that Gambhir attended the press conference after the first Test but typically delegates media duties when results disappoint. His remarks came after India drew the Colombo Test, failing to pick up the last four wickets in Sri Lanka's second innings on Day 5.

"Gambhir came for the press conference after the first Test. We know he comes to the press conference only if India has won the previous match. Otherwise, he will send somebody else. He said rankings don't matter and India aren't struggling in Tests," Ramesh said on his Instagram handle.

"How can you say these two things? Only if you look at the rankings can you qualify for the WTC final. And the whole world knows India are struggling in red-ball cricket," he added.

Ramesh emphasised that rankings hold direct relevance to India's World Test Championship qualification prospects. He explained that dismissing their importance while simultaneously facing poor Test performances creates a contradiction in the head coach's messaging.

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Ramesh used a metaphor to underscore his concerns about India's position in the WTC race. He suggested that the team's current trajectory makes qualification increasingly unlikely.

"I just say that you can even wake someone sleeping up, but you can never wake a person acting like he's sleeping up. It doesn't look like India can pluck a fruit from the tree called the WTC final. Forget being near the tree; I believe India aren't even in the garden with that tree," The speaker said.