As India slumped to a five-wicket defeat against England in the first Test at Headingley, an old remark by head coach Gautam Gambhir targeting former coach Ravi Shastri has gone viral, reigniting debates over leadership and legacy in Indian cricket.
Gambhir’s 2018 Jibe Resurfaces
The comment, originally made in a 2018 interview, saw Gambhir question Shastri’s credentials, saying, “I don’t know what Shastri has achieved in his career apart from winning the World Championship in Australia. If you haven’t won anything yourself, you end up giving this kind of statement”. The remark was in response to Shastri’s claim that India had become the best overseas touring team in 15 years under his tenure.
Social Media Reacts Amid India’s Struggles
With India managing just 3 wins in 11 Tests under Gambhir’s coaching so far, fans and critics have resurfaced the clip, calling it ironic in light of India’s recent performances. The team’s inability to defend a 371-run target at Leeds has intensified scrutiny on Gambhir’s strategies and team selections.
Shastri’s Record vs Gambhir’s Start
While Shastri never won an ICC trophy as coach, he oversaw historic Test series wins in Australia and maintained a dominant home record. In contrast, Gambhir’s tenure has begun with a bilateral ODI series loss to Sri Lanka and now a Test series deficit against England, raising questions about his tactical acumen.
What’s Next?
India will look to bounce back in the second Test at Edgbaston on July 2, with mounting pressure on the team management to deliver results and silence critics.
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