Ex-BCCI selector defends Gautam Gambhir's commitment to team amidst critics: 'He'll also be disappointed...'

Joshi expressed confidence in Gambhir's coaching abilities and believes that he will prove himself in the future. He emphasized that it is premature to assess Gambhir's coaching skills based on just two Test series.

"Knowing Gautam Gambhir, he is a fighting cricketer and we know his commitment towards the game or towards the team. No coach will ever want to be on the wrong side of a result. We need to give him time. Let's now judge by the two series we have seen, just five Test matches. Of course, on home soil, we have lost. I am sure he will also be disappointed with the way the Test matches have gone, but don't judge his acumen or his commitment," Joshi told Times of India.

The series defeat to New Zealand has hurt India's chances to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the third consecutive time. Unless there is a remarkable turnaround Down Under, Gambhir, who was given a free hand in selection matters, may not have as much say in issues concerning the team in the coming times. The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy is the last hope for India to make it to the Lord's, but for that, they have to beat Australia 4-0.

Joshi called Gambhir a fighter and said the critics should wait for at least two years before judging his coaching attributes.

"He is a fighter and he will come out successful. I know that. We have to give time to them (Gambhir and his coaching staff) to settle down. After two years, the results will be in front of us. Then we can judge."