Ravi Shastri Slams Gautam Gambhir For India’s Poor Test Results: ‘Responsibility Must Also Be Taken By…’ | Cricket News

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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri did not hold back in his assesment of India’s sharp decline in Test cricket under current head coach Gautam Gambhir. After India’s 0-2 series loss to South Africa, Gambhir has now overseen five Test series and won only one – a home series victory against the West Indies in October.

Shastri, speaking candidly on a teaser podcast released by Prabhat Khabar, stressed that the players must also take responsibility.

“You tell me. What happened in Guwahati — from 100/1, you skip to 130/7 — this team is not that bad either. The team is not that bad; they have enough talent. Therefore, this is where the responsibility must also be taken by the players. You have played spin since childhood,” Shastri was quoted as saying.

When asked if he was trying to shield Gambhir from criticism, Shastri was direct: “I’m not protecting [him]. 100 per cent (he is responsible too). When am I saying anything otherwise? 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).”

‘Up To BCCI…’

Gambhir, meanwhile, addressed questions about his future immediately after the series loss. Emphasising his philosophy, he had said: “It is up to BCCI to decide. I’ve said it during my first press conference. Indian cricket is important; I’m not. And I sit here and say exactly the same thing.” He further reminded critics of his past achievements: “And yes, people can keep forgetting about it. I’m the same guy who got results in England as well, with a young team. I’m sure you guys will forget very soon because a lot of people keep talking about New Zealand. And I’m the same guy under whom we won Champions Trophy and Asia Cup as well.”