Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Harbhajan backs Gambhir, says bitter truths hard to digest
Harbhajan Singh, a famous cricket player, is defending his friend Gautam Gambhir, who coaches the Indian cricket team.
Some people are upset because India's Test team lost some big matches recently.
Harbhajan says Gambhir is a very good person who always puts the team first.
He says Gambhir tells the truth, even when the truth is hard to hear.
Not everyone likes hearing that truth, so some people think Gambhir is difficult to deal with.
Harbhajan says that is unfair, and we should not judge a book by its cover.
He also says Gambhir wants his team to always play to win.
Harbhajan is also happy about Shubman Gill, the new captain of India's Test and ODI teams.
He says success takes time and that Gill already proved he can lead during the series in England.
Harbhajan Singh defended Gautam Gambhir against the constant criticism he has faced since becoming India's head coach.
Harbhajan acknowledged that Gambhir's habit of telling 'bitter truths' can be hard for some people to digest.
Under Gambhir, India won the T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy and Asia Cup but suffered Test whitewashes to New Zealand and South Africa at home.
Harbhajan recalled that Gambhir was an introvert in his early days and was close to Virender Sehwag, Amit Mishra and Munaf Patel.
Harbhajan also backed new Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill despite India losing ODI series to Australia, New Zealand and England under him.
- Who
- Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, India head coach Gautam Gambhir and new Test-ODI skipper Shubman Gill
- What
- Harbhajan defended Gambhir against criticism of his coaching tenure and backed Gill as the ideal captain for India
- When
- August 13
- Where
- PTI headquarters, New Delhi, India
- Why
- Because Gambhir has drawn constant criticism despite winning limited-overs titles, while India's Test team suffered heavy defeats
Gambhir's Critics
Harbhajan's Defense
Test team failures
Gambhir's Critics
Gambhir's handling of the Test squad has drawn sharp criticism after crushing defeats against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, including two home whitewashes.
Harbhajan's Defense
Harbhajan says it is unfair to always blame the coach when a team does not do well, noting Gambhir is passionate and always puts the team first.
Blunt public style
Gambhir's Critics
Gambhir's combative public persona and the tone of his comments make some people feel he is a slightly difficult person.
Harbhajan's Defense
Harbhajan says Gambhir speaks bitter truths that people cannot digest, and judging him based on perceptions is unfair — 'Don't judge a book by its cover.'
Gill's captaincy record
Gambhir's Critics
The statistics show India lost ODI series to Australia, New Zealand and England under Shubman Gill's captaincy.
Harbhajan's Defense
Harbhajan says success doesn't come overnight and Gill's leadership in England last year, where India drew the series 2-2, proves his ability.
- Source
- PTI (Press Trust of India)
- Location
- New Delhi, India
- Date
- August 13
- Gambhir's role
- India national head coach
- Titles won under Gambhir
- T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, Asia Cup
- Test defeats under Gambhir
- Australia, New Zealand and South Africa; home whitewashes to New Zealand and South Africa
- Gill's role
- India Test and ODI captain
- Gambhir's philosophy
- Play To Win