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Gautam Gambhir has not delivered the strongest run as India’s coach in terms of results. The team suffered a couple of home Test whitewashes and the recent ODI series defeat to NZ added to the setbacks. However BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla strongly backed the coach noting that the former opener still holds control of the squad and remains a respected figure in the dressing room despite outside criticism.

Shukla told ANI that India has performed well in white-ball matches except for Test match results. Shukla commented: "Gautam Gambhir is still in control of the team. He is a coach. He is doing his work in that. Yes, why not? (on if he is a popular coach within the team) If we leave the Test match, we are winning the rest of the series in ODIs and T20Is.”

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He added: “These days on social media, everyone is attacked. Nobody is spared. You lose a match and get criticised. You must also remember that when Sachin Tendulkar would fail during his playing days, he would also face flak from the media, even if he failed in one series. His past contributions and records were not highlighted. He was called ‘Endulkar’ at one point. If this country did not spare Sachin, then what are these other players?”

Gambhir steered India to victory against Bangladesh in their home series through his Test performance which he followed by a 0-3 loss to New Zealand. India lost to Australia 1-3 before they defeated West Indies 2-0 and then lost to South Africa 0-2. The results which fans saw from the team that had not lost home Test series since 2012-2013 proved to be unexpected.