All is not well in the Indian dressing room, due to a dispute between the coach of the Indian national team Gautam Gambhir Some senior players have now emerged from the team after India's loss in the World Cup Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) The visiting team now trails 2-1 in the current round Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Gautam Gambhir criticized the Indian players after their loss in the MCG Test
Differences in the Indian dressing room are said to be going on for some time. But the loss in the Boxing Day Test appears to have been too much for Gambhir. The Indian Express report states that the Indian coach expressed his anger in the dressing room and told the players “Bahut ho gaya (I've had enough)” The report indicated that Gambhir's anger was towards players who chose to play their natural game instead of choosing to adapt to the team's situation.
During the fourth Test of the series, a number of players threw away their wickets due to their irresponsible shot selection. The most notable dismissals in this regard were the expulsions Rishabh Pantwho gave away his wicket while playing reckless shots in both Indian innings, Virat Kohli Who is separated in a similar manner throughout the series and Yashavi Jaiswal Who was returned to the wing after a controversial third umpire at a time when the team desperately needed his presence to save the match on the final day of the Test.
Additionally, the report noted that Gambhir told the Indian dressing room that until now, he had given the players the freedom to play as they wished, but now he would decide the team's strategy in each match and which players would play. Failure to comply with the pre-determined strategy will be thanked – implying that dissatisfaction will result in them being excluded from the team.
Read also: 'Insulting 1.5 billion Indians': Navjot Singh Sidhu slams Travis Head for controversial celebration after Rishabh Pant's wicket in Australia's fourth Test against IND
Gambhir wanted Cheteshwar Pujara for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25?
Cheteshwar Pujara He has been a pillar of strength in Indian cricket, especially in Tests. His record overseas, especially in Australia, has been nothing short of impressive so far. To keep the balance in the team intact, the report also noted that Gambhir wanted to include the top-order batsman in the team for their ongoing tour to Australia but the Indian selectors shot down the possibilities of Pujara joining the team. Additionally, Gambhir continued to talk about Pujara even after India's win in the first Test match in Perth.
Pujara has an impeccable record in Test cricket having played 103 Test matches for the country and scoring 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60. His record against Australia is even more impressive with 2074 runs in 25 matches against the Australians including two memorable hundreds and 5 centuries against the arch rivals.