In a high-stakes situation, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly issued a stern warning to his players following their crushing 184-run defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
With India trailing 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, tensions are rising within the team, especially after leaks from the dressing room sparked widespread criticism from former cricketers.
According to The Indian Express, Gambhir expressed his frustration over the team’s repeated failure to adapt to match situations and adhere to the strategies set for the tour. He reportedly told his players, “Bahut ho gaya (I’ve had enough),” signaling his firm stance going forward. Gambhir further warned that any deviation from his game plan would result in exclusion from the squad.
Dressing Room Breach Sparks Outrage
The leak of Gambhir’s candid remarks to the media has stunned the cricket community, with former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan and ex-wicketkeeper Sreevats Goswami criticizing the breach of privacy. Pathan posted on X (formerly Twitter), “What happens in the dressing room, should stay in the dressing room!” Goswami echoed his sentiments, calling the leaks “unacceptable.”
Mounting Pressure on Team India
Gambhir, who took over as head coach in July, had given his players six months of freedom to play their “natural game.” However, following the Melbourne Test loss, Gambhir expressed dissatisfaction with their failure to adapt to challenging situations. “I’ve allowed freedom, but now I will decide the strategy,” he reportedly told the team. His frustration was particularly evident after India’s dramatic collapse in the second innings, where they were bundled out for just 155 while chasing 330.
Key dismissals, such as Rishabh Pant’s reckless shot off part-time spinner Travis Head, added fuel to Gambhir’s ire. Pant’s dismissal, after a gritty partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, triggered a collapse in which India lost their last seven wickets for just 34 runs. Gambhir also criticized captain Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli for their lackluster performances. Kohli’s dismissal outside the off-stump and Rohit’s inability to convert starts into substantial scores have further fueled India’s struggles.
Team Divisions and Selection Debates
The turmoil extends beyond on-field performances. Reports suggest that Gambhir had pushed for the recall of Cheteshwar Pujara for the Australia tour, but his request was denied. Additionally, there’s growing speculation about the Test captaincy, with some senior players reportedly interested in leading the team due to Rohit Sharma’s ongoing struggles.
With the series finale scheduled for January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, India must win to keep their hopes alive in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and secure their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
India’s recent Test form has been far from impressive, including a historic 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand in October-November, marking their first-ever such loss on home soil. Gambhir’s tenure, which began with promising wins over Sri Lanka and New Zealand, is now under intense scrutiny.
As the team faces a must-win situation, Pathan and other former cricketers have stressed the need for unity and discretion. “The focus should be on the game, not the leaks,” they emphasized.