# Harbhajan Defends Gambhir, Says Coach Not Solely to Blame

2026-08-13T16:33:56+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has defended head coach Gautam Gambhir, asking why the coach is blamed when a team performs poorly. 'Why is Gautam facing so much criticism? I never understood why people always blame the coach when a team doesn't perform well,' he told PTI. Harbhajan described Gambhir as straightforward and passionate, someone who speaks 'bitter truths.' Gambhir-led India have won the T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup in white-ball cricket, but the Test team suffered whitewashes at home against New Zealand and South Africa. Amit Mishra also backed Gambhir, saying he needs more time in red-ball cricket.

## Coverage

- sports.ndtv.com <https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/gautam-gambhir-defended-by-ex-teammate-shubman-gill-and-co-thrown-under-the-bus-take-more-responsibility-11906044#publisher=newsstand>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/why-people-always-blame-coach-harbhajan-singh-comes-to-gautam-gambhir-defence-article-155608185>
- rediff.com <https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/bohot-badhiya-banda-harbhajan-reveals-gambhirs-true-side/20260813.htm>

Tags: coach criticism, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, India cricket, Indian cricket team, Test cricket
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