Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has recently made headlines with his candid remarks regarding Shubman Gill's captaincy and Gautam Gambhir's role in guiding the young leader. Shastri's comments, made during the ongoing Test series against England, have sparked debate about Gill's tactical decisions and the influence of the team management.
Shastri's most notable criticism revolves around Gill's perceived hesitancy and tactical blunders during the fourth Test in Manchester. He specifically pointed to the delayed introduction of Washington Sundar into the attack, despite the off-spinner's impressive performance in the previous Test at Lord's. According to Shastri, Sundar should have been brought on much earlier, within the first 30-35 overs, to capitalize on his wicket-taking ability. The delay, Shastri argued, sent the wrong message to Sundar and allowed England to gain a significant advantage. Shastri didn't hold back, stating that India was "found wanting" tactically. He also questioned the decision to give the new ball to debutant Anshul Kamboj instead of the more experienced Mohammed Siraj, a move that he felt released the pressure on the English batsmen.
Adding fuel to the fire, Shastri recalled an instance during Virat Kohli's early captaincy days where he had to intervene from the dressing room to temper Kohli's ultra-aggressive approach. Shastri stated that Kohli was so aggressive that he "wanted five wickets every session," which was unrealistic. Contrasting Kohli's initial exuberance with Gill's cautiousness, Shastri implied that Gill needs to find a better balance and be more proactive in his decision-making. Shastri believes Gill is on the other side--too cautious and needs guidance from the team management.
Furthermore, Shastri emphasized the importance of senior players stepping up and contributing to tactical discussions. He suggested that players with significant Test experience, like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, should take the initiative to advise Gill on field placements and bowling plans. Shastri said that senior players should be setting their own fields and telling the captain what they want to do.
Shastri's critique also indirectly targeted head coach Gautam Gambhir, urging him to provide the necessary guidance to Gill. He stressed the importance of effective communication between the coach and captain, particularly in crucial moments of the game. Shastri's comments suggest that he believes Gambhir needs to play a more active role in shaping Gill's captaincy and helping him make bolder decisions. Shastri also stated that the team management, especially someone like Gautam Gambhir, has to guide him in the next year or two.
In response to the criticism, Gambhir has remained relatively tight-lipped. When questioned about the delayed introduction of Sundar, Gambhir vaguely stated that he "can't see everyone," implying that he cannot micro-manage every aspect of the game. This response has drawn further scrutiny, with some critics arguing that Gambhir needs to take greater responsibility for the team's tactical shortcomings.
Despite his sharp criticism, Shastri has also expressed confidence in Gill's potential to grow as a captain. He acknowledged that Gill is still relatively new to the role and will learn from his experiences. However, Shastri's stern message serves as a reminder that Gill needs to evolve quickly and embrace a more assertive approach to lead the Indian team effectively.
The ongoing debate surrounding Gill's captaincy and the team management's influence highlights the intense scrutiny that Indian cricket faces. As the Test series progresses, it will be interesting to see how Gill responds to the criticism and whether Gambhir takes a more proactive role in shaping the team's strategies. The pressure is on for both Gill and Gambhir to prove that they can work together to lead India to success on the field.
