India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, finds himself in the eye of a storm following a series of disappointing results in Test cricket at home. Despite a promising start that saw the team clinch the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup after he took charge in July last year, consecutive Test series defeats have put his leadership under intense scrutiny.
A Rare and Alarming Setback
The team's struggles in the longest format have raised significant alarms. India suffered a 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand, which was swiftly followed by a 2-0 series defeat to South Africa. These losses are particularly stinging because India has been whitewashed in a home Test series only three times in its entire history. Shockingly, two of those three instances have occurred during Gambhir's relatively short tenure.
Ravi Shastri's Plea for a Broader Perspective
Amidst the growing criticism directed at the coach, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has stepped forward to advocate for a more balanced view. Speaking on a YouTube podcast for Prabhat Khabar, Shastri, who oversaw India's dominant Test run from 2014 to 2021, emphasized that accountability must be shared.
"When results come, one thing the public should remember is that players should also take responsibility," Shastri stated. He spoke from personal experience, noting that he had been singled out in the past. "It should not be that you target one individual... It is important that the players also take the rap on the knuckles when something like this happens."
Pride, Hurt, and Mental Strength
Shastri stressed the need for pride and a sense of hurt within the team following such defeats. He explained that players must feel the sting of loss for the situation to improve. In a mix of Hindi and English, he elaborated on the mental aspect of the game, saying, "We have to win every match. If we don’t win, the gun will point at you... Everyone feels pressure. You have to deal with it. Cricket is 90 percent here — in the mind."
He also highlighted the non-tactical aspects of leadership that are crucial for success. "Communication and man-management skills are crucial here. Only then can you motivate the players to win," Shastri explained, adding that enjoying the role is key to handling pressure.
A Collective Failure, Not an Individual One
Reflecting on the recent defeat to South Africa, Shastri reinforced the idea of collective failure. "Everyone, right from the team management to the players, you can't single out one person. It's a collective decision," he asserted. "South Africa defeated India; no single player defeated India. South Africa played well as a team. Where did we play?"
While carefully avoiding direct criticism of Gambhir, Shastri's comments clearly pointed towards a shared responsibility for the team's recent slump in Test cricket. This period marks a challenging phase for Indian cricket, reminding fans of the nation's first-ever home Test whitewash, which also came against South Africa back in the 1999-2000 season.
