In a powerful and unflinching statement that has sent shockwaves through Indian cricket, former head coach Ravi Shastri has publicly criticized the team’s alarming India’s Test slide under new leadership. His core message? Accountability is non-negotiable.
“I’d take the blame first,” Shastri declared, a stark contrast to what he perceives as a current lack of ownership within the setup . This isn’t just coach-speak; it’s a direct call to action for a team that has recently squandered its home fortress advantage and suffered a stunning collapse in Guwahati against South Africa .
Table of Contents
- Shastri Takes a Stand on Accountability
- The Guwahati Collapse: A Symbol of India’s Test Slide
- Gautam Gambhir’s Early Challenges as Head Coach
- A Legacy Eroding: India’s Home Fortress
- What’s Next for Team India?
- Conclusion: The Call for Ownership
- Sources
Shastri Takes a Stand on Accountability
Shastri’s comments are rooted in a deep sense of disappointment. He built a formidable side known for its resilience, especially at home. Now, watching that team falter, his frustration is palpable. His statement, “I’d take the blame first,” is a masterclass in leadership. It sets a simple, powerful standard: when things go wrong, the buck stops at the top—be it with the management or the senior players.
He argues that the current crop of players, blessed with immense talent, must own their failures just as much as they celebrate their successes . This isn’t about pointing fingers; it’s about fostering a culture of responsibility that can weather tough losses and emerge stronger.
The Guwahati Collapse: A Symbol of India’s Test slide
The most recent and glaring example of this slide was the 2nd Test against South Africa in Guwahati. Chasing a daunting but not impossible total of 549, India was bowled out for a paltry 140, suffering a humiliating 328-run defeat . This wasn’t just a loss; it was a complete batting implosion that exposed a fragile middle order and a lack of fight.
Shastri called the batting “very ordinary,” a damning indictment of a side that once boasted one of the most feared line-ups in world cricket . This collapse is more than a single bad day; it’s become a symbol of a deeper, systemic issue within the team’s current mindset.
Gautam Gambhir’s Early Challenges as Head Coach
Appointed as the head coach of the Indian national team in July 2024, succeeding Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir walked into a role with immense expectations . His first major challenge was the tough away series in Australia (2024/25), which India lost 3-1 . While an away loss to Australia is never a disgrace, the manner of the defeats and the lack of competitive spirit in crucial moments raised early questions.
His tenure was then supposed to be solidified on home soil against South Africa. Instead, the team followed up a win in the first Test with the catastrophic collapse in Guwahati, putting his leadership and tactical acumen under intense scrutiny . Gambhir’s primary task, as noted by former administrators, is man-management rather than technical coaching . The current crisis suggests that even that crucial aspect of his role is being severely tested.
A Legacy Eroding: India’s Home Fortress
For over a decade, winning a Test series in India was considered one of the toughest challenges in cricket. The aura of Indian pitches and the dominance of its spinners were legendary. However, recent results are eroding that legacy at an alarming pace.
The 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand in late 2024 was a massive red flag . Now, the heavy defeat in Guwahati has fans and pundits alike wondering if that home advantage is a thing of the past. The statistics from the ongoing home series paint a grim picture: a batting lineup that is inconsistent and a team that seems to lack the killer instinct they once possessed .
What’s Next for Team India?
The road ahead is treacherous. India has a crucial Test series in England scheduled for June-July 2025 . A team in this state of disarray, lacking confidence and clear leadership, will be an easy target for the English side. The management, led by Gambhir, has a very short window to address these deep-seated issues.
Key questions that need urgent answers include:
- How can the batting lineup be made more resilient, especially in the middle order?
- What is the strategy to rebuild the team’s lost confidence, particularly at home?
- How will the new management foster a culture of accountability that Shastri has called for?
Without clear answers and, more importantly, visible action, India’s Test slide could become a long and painful descent.
Conclusion: The Call for Ownership
Ravi Shastri’s intervention is a timely and necessary wake-up call. His simple philosophy of taking the blame first is a stark reminder of the leadership qualities that are currently missing. Whether it’s Gautam Gambhir in the coach’s chair or the senior players on the field, someone needs to step up and own the failures. Only then can the long and proud legacy of Indian Test cricket be restored. The talent is there; what’s missing is the will to fight and the courage to be accountable. For more on the team’s upcoming fixtures, see our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:india-cricket-fixtures-2025].
Sources
For a deeper look into the world of cricket strategy and history, visit the official International Cricket Council (ICC) website.
- Times of India. “‘I’d take the blame first’: Ravi Shastri blasts India’s Test slide under Gautam Gambhir, says players must own failures too.”
- “Ravi Shastri slams India batters after Guwahati collapse.”
- “India in freefall as Shastri rips apart Gambhir’s tactics.”
- ESPNcricinfo. “India tour of Australia, 2024-25.”
- Cricbuzz. “India’s Test performance (2024).”
- “India Cricket Team 2025 Schedules, Fixtures & Results.”
- “‘I don’t think his job is to coach the Indian team’: Ex-chief selector on Gautam Gambhir.”