IND vs NZ: Gautam Gambhir gets support from former India coach after series defeat

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India's dismal Test series defeat at the hands of New Zealand has already raised a plethora of questions.

The fans and social media have started to lament head coach Gautam Gambhir, under whom, India lost a Test series at home after 12 long years.

Under Gautam Gambhir, India have had their share of lows. They suffered an ODI series loss against Sri Lanka, and now the series loss against New Zealand have put Gambhir and his staff under pressure.

Amid this, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has come out in support of the current Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir. Shastri and Gambhir are not always the fish of the same kettle, but the former has extended his hand of support for Gambhir.

"New Zealand have beaten them (India) handsomely in both the Test matches. It's food for thought (on series loss). He (Gambhir) has just taken over the job. It's never easy being coach of a team that has such a big following. It's still early days in his career as a coach. But he'll soon learn," Shastri said, while on commentary during the second Test in Pune.

Although the anomaly against New Zealand may be spared by the Indian fans, but the Indian team will have to step up ahead of the crucial Australia series.

Their debacle at home against New Zealand has completely jeopardised their chances of qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final next year. India, having already played the inaugural two finals, will be hoping to make it to London next summer. And for that, they will have to win at least four out of their next six matches.

The immediate assignment of the Indian team is the final Test of the three-match series against Kiwis, following the five-match series down under against Australia. India captain Rohit Sharma denied calling for crisis after the Pune defeat and justified the loss as something which can happen once in 12 years, but if India fail to win in Mumbai as well, things can turn sour rapidly.