IND vs AUS 2025: 'Stay in your domain' - Gautam Gambhir slams DC co-owner Parth Jindal, blames Test series defeat on Shubman Gill's injury

Gautam Gambhir lashed out at his critics who had slammed him after India's Test series defeat to South Africa last month. The Men in Blue lost the series 0-2. This was their first Test series loss to the Proteas at home in 25 years.

India avenged the defeat in Tests with a 2-1 win in the ODI series on Saturday, December 6. After the emphatic nine-wicket victory in the third ODI in Visakhapatnam, India's head coach Gambhir slammed the Delhi Capitals' (DC) co-owner Parth Jindal. The latter had criticised the Indian team management and the selectors after the Test series debacle.

Gambhir didn't want to give excuses for the defeat. However, he blamed Test captain Shubman Gill's neck injury for the result. The Punjab batter sustained a neck injury during the first Test in Kolkata and couldn't bat in the second innings. He also missed the second Test match, as vice-captain Rishabh Pant took over leadership duties.

"We played without our captain. He did not play both innings. That was the only difference, which does not mean you do not bring out the facts. When you are in a transition, you lose your captain, who is our in-form batter, who scored over 1000 runs in seven matches. Against such a team, it is a blow," said Gambhir in the press conference.

Gambhir was evidently not pleased with the criticism that had come his way and pointed out Jindal's comments, where the latter had called for split coaching. Referencing the DC co-owner's remarks, the former India opener called for people not to move out of their domains.

"A lot of people has been saying a lot of things some going out of their domain like one IPL owner who suggested split coaching,'" said Gambhir.

After India's Test series defeat, Jindal, who is an avid sports fan, shared his opinion about the state of cricketing affairs in the country on social media.

"Not even close, what a complete thrashing at home! Don’t remember seeing our test side being so weak at home!!!This is what happens when red ball specialists are not picked. This team is nowhere near reflective of the deep strength we possess in the red ball format. Time for India to move to a specialist red ball coach for Test cricket," wrote Jindal at X.

India and South Africa will now lock horns in a five-match T20I series. The first T20I is scheduled to be held at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Tuesday, December 9.