New Delhi: India’s continued slump in Test cricket has intensified scrutiny on head coach Gautam Gambhir, with former head coach Ravi Shastri openly stating that responsibility must be shared at every level. India have managed to win only one of five Test series since Gambhir took charge, with the lone victory coming against West Indies. Defeats to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, along with a drawn series against England, have raised concerns about the team’s direction and consistency.
Shastri, who led India through multiple high-pressure campaigns in the past, said that the current situation demands honesty rather than protection. Reacting to the collapse in Guwahati during the Test against South Africa, where India fell from a strong start at 100 for 1 to 130 for 7, he stressed that the squad has the talent but is underperforming.
According to him, the batting order’s struggle against spin was particularly troubling, given that these players have been exposed to such conditions throughout their careers. He emphasised that players must take greater responsibility for their performances, especially in familiar home environments.
Shastri made it clear that he is not shielding Gambhir from criticism. He stated that any coach must accept accountability for the team’s results, adding that he himself would have taken the lead in owning such setbacks during his tenure. At the same time, he underlined that players would have faced tough conversations behind closed doors for repeated technical and tactical lapses.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has reportedly scheduled a meeting involving Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and senior board officials to review the situation. While Gambhir’s position as Test head coach is not under immediate threat, the board recognises that the current trajectory requires corrective measures to restore stability and competitiveness.
India’s upcoming assignments will now be viewed through the lens of these growing expectations, as both management and players seek to steer the team back toward consistent Test success.
