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"If I were the coach...": Shastri takes a dig at Gambhir after South Africa whitewash India

Mayank

India has suffered two whitewashes at home under Gambhir [Source: Ctrlmemes_, BhttDNSH100/X.com]India has suffered two whitewashes at home under Gambhir [Source: Ctrlmemes_, BhttDNSH100/X.com]

India's second whitewash at home in consecutive years has raised a lot of questions over Gautam Gambhir's position as the head coach of the team, especially in Tests. Since the former opener took over the reins of the team, India has only won against Bangladesh and West Indies at home, while conceding 0-3 vs New Zealand and 0-2 vs South Africa in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

Previously, the last time India lost a series at home was back in 2012, when England toured India. Since that loss, India went on a run of 18 consecutive series wins at home, also reaching the top of the ICC Test rankings.

One of the key figures in Indian Test domination during that period, as a coach, Ravi Shastri, has spoken out about the disappointing losses and told how he would react to these performances as a coach.

Ravi Shastri reacts to India's whitewashes at home

During one of his recent interviews, Shastri called out the players for their susceptibility against spin bowling, despite playing all their age groups and First Class cricket. He also believes that a coach should ideally own up to such series losses and call out the players during the team meetings. 

"If I were the coach, I would first take responsibility myself, but I wouldn’t spare the players either in the team meeting. They should also know how to play spin; they’ve been playing for so many years," he told Prabhat Khabar.

Shastri was also India's coach in the back-to-back away Border-Gavaskar Trophy wins in 2018/19 and 2020/21. From 2015 to 2018, India won 9 consecutive Test series, which is the most that India has won in a row, equalling England's record from the 19th century and Australia's from the 2000s — Anil Kumble, followed by Shastri, were at the helm during this time.