Amidst a torrent of skepticism over Gautam Gambhir’s stewardship of the Indian Test side, Shardul Thakur has emerged as an unwavering supporter. India’s head coach has been under persistent scrutiny following a tumultuous season. A perfect start against Bangladesh was swiftly overshadowed by the erosion of India’s home fortress at the hands of New Zealand. The nadir came with the loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia, a defeat that barred India from the World Test Championship final. The turbulence coincided with seismic retirements — Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma walking away from red-ball cricket. The vacuum has amplified questions about Gambhir’s strategic acumen and his capacity to rebuild a formidable unit for the traditional format. Amid this storm, Thakur has endorsed Gambhir’s persona and ethos without equivocation. Speaking to Revsportz, the all-rounder extolled Gambhir’s uncompromising temperament. Thakur remarked, “Yes, we have always seen him as a player who is willing to fight for the team, and even during the huddles, he transferred that energy into us — the one that he brought into the field during his playing days." Read also: Babar Azam dropped from Pakistan squad over strike-rate: Mike Hesson The 32-year-old underscored Gambhir’s decorated career and the motivational reservoir he channels into the dressing room. He added, “He is an achiever who has won trophies for the nation and the state. And he brings all those experiences and motivations into the team. Criticism will come and go, but as a team, winning matters, and I believe we are heading in the right direction when it comes to that." Thakur cited India’s resilience during the recent England sojourn as testimony to the coach’s imprint, arguing that the indefatigable mindset emanates from Gambhir’s presence. The next litmus test looms in the Asia Cup. While selection deliberations persist, conjecture revolves around whether Gambhir opts for continuity or injects novelty. The glare of judgment will endure. Yet, within the team, conviction in Gambhir’s leadership appears unyielding.