IND vs SA: Ravi Shastri attacks Gautam Gambhir for India's Test series defeat
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri issued a blunt assessment of the national team’s declining standards in Test cricket under current head coach Gautam Gambhir, following India’s 0-2 series loss to South Africa. Since taking charge last year, Gambhir has overseen five Test series but has managed to secure victory in only one, a home assignment against the West Indies in October. The latest defeat, particularly the lacklustre display in the second Test in Guwahati, has intensified scrutiny of his tenure. India’s timid performance against the Proteas has sparked widespread criticism from fans, former players, and cricket analysts, many of whom believe the team has lacked direction and consistency in the longest format.
IND vs SA: Ravi Shastri opens up on India's Test series whitewash against South Africa at home
The spotlight has fallen especially on the batting unit, whose struggles have repeatedly left the side on the back foot. Shastri, known for his forthright views, emphasized that the batters must shoulder greater responsibility for the team’s failures. He pointed specifically to India’s poor first-innings effort in Guwahati, where they were dismissed for just 201 in response to South Africa’s commanding 489. According to Shastri, such collapses reflect not only technical shortcomings but also a worrying lapse in temperament, something he believes must be urgently addressed for India to regain its Test dominance.
"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,” said former India head coach Ravi Shastri.
“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 to 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),” he added.
Between 2012 and 2024, a phase in which India enjoyed remarkable dominance in home conditions, Ravi Shastri stood out as the nation’s most accomplished Test coach. Serving as head coach from 2017 to 2021, he guided India to an impressive 65% win rate across all formats. Under his stewardship, and in partnership with captain Virat Kohli, the Test team evolved into a formidable and disciplined unit capable of winning in challenging overseas environments.
This era produced two of India’s greatest achievements in red-ball cricket - their first two Test series victories in Australia, milestones that reshaped global perceptions of the team. Shastri’s tenure also coincided with India’s sustained supremacy in the ICC Test rankings, holding the No. 1 spot for an extraordinary 42 months between 2016 and 2021. His leadership ultimately helped India reach the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021, underscoring the consistency and resilience of the side.
India’s upcoming challenge in Test cricket will be a two-match red-ball series in Sri Lanka, scheduled for August 2026. This tour is expected to play a crucial role in shaping their campaign in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. After an inconsistent start, India currently find themselves placed fifth on the WTC 2025–27 points table, having secured only four wins from their nine matches so far. The team will view the Sri Lanka series as an opportunity to regain momentum, address lingering issues in their Test setup, and strengthen their push for a spot in the next WTC final.
