Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has issued one of his most direct and critical assessments of the national cricket team's recent struggles in Test matches. He firmly stated that the responsibility for this dramatic fall lies with both the players and the team management, urging them to own up to the decline.
A Fall from Grace: Shastri's Visible Frustration
Shastri, who masterminded India's highly successful Test campaign alongside captain Virat Kohli, expressed deep personal hurt at seeing the team's current state. He recalled a side that once dominated both at home and abroad, contrasting it with the recent whitewashes suffered against New Zealand and South Africa on home soil. His frustration was palpable, particularly when discussing the team's collapse in the Guwahati Test.
"You tell me. What happened in Guwahati – from 100/1, you skip to 130/7? This team is not that bad either. They have this much talent at least," Shastri said in a podcast teaser for Prabhat Khabar. He directly challenged the batters, adding, "The players should take some responsibility too. You have played spin since you started playing cricket."
No Protection for Gambhir, A Lesson in Leadership
When questioned if his comments were meant to defend the new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, Shastri was unequivocal. "I'm not protecting [him]. One hundred per cent he is responsible too. When am I saying anything otherwise?" he stated bluntly.
He then offered a striking insight into his own leadership philosophy, which marked a clear contrast. "Agar yeh mere saath hota, main pehla responsibility leta (Had this happened with me, I would have been the first one to take responsibility). But then, I wouldn't have spared the players either in the team meeting," Shastri declared, emphasizing a culture of dual accountability.
The High Bar Set During Shastri-Kohli Era
The source of Shastri's frustration is rooted in the exceptionally high standards his tenure established. Between 2017 and 2021, India transformed into the world's premier travelling Test team. Their landmark achievements during this golden period include:
- Winning two historic Test series in Australia.
- Remaining the world No. 1 Test team for a staggering 42 months.
- Losing only two Test matches at home under Virat Kohli's captaincy.
While Rahul Dravid successfully revived the team after a slow start—securing home series wins and guiding India to a second World Test Championship (WTC) final—this positive trajectory has seemingly stalled under Gambhir's leadership.
The Current Stagnation Under Gambhir's Tenure
The recent record makes for sobering reading. In the last 14 months, India has managed only two Test series victories, both against lower-ranked sides: Bangladesh and the West Indies. This period has also been marred by heavy defeats in Australia and a drawn series in England, highlighting a significant dip in performance and consistency.
Shastri's pointed critique underscores a growing concern among fans and experts about the direction of India's Test cricket. His call for shared responsibility serves as a stark reminder of the accountability required to restore the team to its former dominant heights.
