Following India's recent five-wicket defeat against England in the first Test at Headingley, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged the team's current head coach, Gautam Gambhir, to adopt a firm approach within the dressing room. Shastri emphasized the importance of holding players accountable for repeated errors and fostering a culture of intensity.
Shastri, speaking to Sky Sports Cricket, advised Gambhir to address the team's shortcomings directly, even if it means "ticking off" players. He stressed that repeated lapses in crucial moments, particularly in fielding, cannot be tolerated. Shastri believes a strong message needs to be conveyed to players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Karun Nair, among others, who may be underperforming or making consistent mistakes. He suggested that Gambhir should not hesitate to be stern and demanding in the dressing room to instill discipline and focus.
This call for a stricter approach comes amid reports of unrest and division within the Indian dressing room. Shastri's comments highlight the need for strong leadership to unify the team and ensure everyone is performing at their best. He acknowledged that while Shubman Gill has performed admirably as captain, certain aspects, such as dropped catches, require collective effort and improvement.
The emphasis on a "hard" treatment in the dressing room also surfaces amidst existing discussions around team dynamics and communication. Irfan Pathan had previously alluded to the importance of maintaining dressing room confidentiality. Shastri's recent comments add another layer to the ongoing narrative, suggesting a need for Gambhir to establish clear expectations and standards.
It is worth noting that Gambhir's coaching style has faced scrutiny in the past. Reports earlier in the year indicated that Gambhir had allegedly blamed a player, Sarfaraz Khan, for leaking dressing room information during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This incident fueled discussions about transparency and accountability within the team.
However, some players have recently voiced their support for Gambhir's approach. Yashasvi Jaiswal, after scoring a century in the first Test against England, mentioned having a "long chat" with Gambhir and highlighted the support he receives from the dressing room. He emphasized that the team environment allows players to express themselves freely.
Ultimately, Shastri's advice to Gambhir underscores the importance of strong leadership and accountability in a high-pressure environment like international cricket. While nurturing talent and providing support are essential, addressing repeated lapses and instilling discipline are equally crucial for achieving success. The coming matches will reveal whether Gambhir heeds Shastri's advice and implements a stricter approach to galvanize the team.
