India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has addressed the controversy surrounding reports of leaked dressing room conversations during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Speaking to the press ahead of the final Test in Sydney, Gambhir dismissed the reports of a rift within the Indian camp, emphasizing the importance of maintaining privacy in dressing room discussions.
Gautam Gambhir on Indian Dressing Room Leaks
“Those are just reports, not the truth. I don’t need to comment on any reports. Honesty is important; we want to go on and achieve some great things,” Gambhir stated
Gambhir’s comments came in response to media reports suggesting that he had a stern address to the team following India’s defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The reports claimed that Gambhir criticized players for prioritizing their “natural game” over adapting to match situations.
However, Gambhir downplayed the incident, reaffirming the need for unity within the squad. He said, “Team first. It’s a team game, and everyone understands this. Debates between a player and a coach should stay between them. Any conversations in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room.”
The controversy arose after a report by The Indian Express detailed Gambhir’s frustration during the post-match team meeting, where he reportedly warned players unwilling to adhere to his team strategies that they would face exclusion. Former cricketers Irfan Pathan and Sreevats Goswami criticized the breach of confidentiality, with Pathan stating, “What happens in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room.”
India coach Gautam Gambhir was strong in saying he has "everything under control" in the dressing room but admitted he had "honest" conversations with the team after losing the MCG Test https://t.co/SExIQBhfGe #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/B4zdlofTPr
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 2, 2025
Gambhir, who took over as head coach in July, admitted in the reported post-match meeting to allowing players more freedom over the past six months but signalled a stricter approach moving forward. With the final Test in Sydney looming, Gambhir’s comments highlight a renewed focus on discipline and unity as India aims to put the controversy behind them and concentrate on finishing the series on a positive note.
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