After the Test series between India and South Africa, the ODI series is set to begin, with the opening match scheduled in Ranchi on November 30. Team India practiced hard on Friday, and head coach Gautam Gambhir was also present on the ground. But during the session, something unexpected happened—fans in the stands began mocking and trolling Gambhir.

Fans taunt Gambhir during practice
A video from the stadium has gone viral in which fans can be heard shouting for Gambhir to step down as coach. One fan shouted, “We lost 3–0 at home to South Africa… If you can’t win at home, forget about the 2027 World Cup!” Gambhir, however, continued with the training session and did not respond.

The anger stems from India’s recent Test defeats. Under Gambhir’s coaching, India lost the Test series to South Africa, including heavy defeats in Kolkata and Guwahati. India has now been clean swept at home in two of its last three Test series, increasing criticism of the new head coach.

Focus shifts to ODI series
With the Test series over, all eyes are now on the ODI leg. South Africa are in strong form, meaning India will have to put in significant effort to secure a series win. Another loss would increase the pressure on both Gambhir and the team management.

However, India’s ODI record remains strong, and with senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning, expectations are high.

India’s ODI squad for the South Africa series
KL Rahul (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh.