Is Gambhir going the Chappel way? Distrust mounts in the Indian dressing room

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Every day, it’s getting increasingly difficult to understand or describe Indian cricket. That is because coach Gautam Gambhir is destroying the sanctity of the dressing room. R Ashwin leaving the team because of lack of communication from the team management right in the middle of a Test match, KL Rahul being forcefully told to bat at one down, asking out of form captain Rohit Sharmato drop out and perhaps advising a bowling captain like Jasprit Bumrah to bat on a green top at the Sydney Cricket Ground are some of the inexplicable happenings in the team. Nothing is going good for Team India in Australia. Is it all because of Gambhir? Isn’t he acting like a modern day era Greg Chappel, who told then India captain Sourav Ganguly to sit out during the 2005 tour of Zimbabwe? We all thought that the captain is the most powerful man in the Indian dressing room but the way Gambhir has gone around doing his business even his Delhi friends are saying that he won’t stay long in that dressing room.

The dressing room dynamics in international cricket are often delicate, and with figures like Gambhir, who are known for their strong personalities, it can sometimes lead to friction. Whether this is the root cause of India’s current struggles in Australia is difficult to say definitively, but it’s clear that the atmosphere within the team isn’t as harmonious as it should be for sustained success.

So, India leave Rohit thinking that both the openers — Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rahul would get a rousing start to the innings on a spongy Sydney green top, but both were back in the pavilion in no time. And as they sat next to each other in the dressing room, there was so much of tension on their faces as if they were playing an IPL game, where it is either perform or perish.

Most certainly, there seems like there’s a growing sense of distrust within the Indian dressing room, and that can be a dangerous sign for any team, especially one with as much talent and expectation as India. Distrust can erode the cohesion that is vital for success in international cricket, where unity and mutual respect among players and management play a crucial role in achieving consistent performance.

CricBlogger was first to report on the state of the Indian team days before the Australian tour began (https://cricblogger.com/credibility-gap-lack-of-clear-protocols-between-management-and-players-hurting-india-in-australia/).

The kind of changes and decisions such as Ashwin’s departure, Rahul’s forced shift in batting position, and Rohit’s uncertain role — might be symptomatic of larger internal issues. If players feel their concerns aren’t being addressed, or if there’s a disconnect between management and the squad, it’s natural to lead to frustration and lack of trust. This internal strife can manifest itself on the field as well, where performances start to dip, and individual players struggle to deliver their best.

What makes the situation even more critical is the fact that Gambhir, with his strong opinions and no-nonsense approach, might not be able to balance this aspect of team management effectively, especially if he is seen as overstepping or alienating senior players. While his aggressive stance on team strategy and individual roles may be motivated by a desire for the team’s success, it runs the risk of creating an environment where players feel like they are being micromanaged or undermined.

Given the stakes in international cricket, the situation could spiral quickly if things don’t improve soon. The absence of a harmonious dressing room culture often correlates with inconsistent results on the field, and if things don’t settle down soon, the management—both Gambhir and the board—could face intense scrutiny.

For India to regain its momentum, there will need to be a shift back toward a unified, positive environment where trust and communication are at the forefront, not just within the playing group, but between the coach, captain, and players. Only then can the team start to move forward with confidence and reclaim its position at the top of the game. If not, it could signal a troubled phase for Team India in the days to come. Because it’s not nice if the coach questions a player’s commitment. Something which led Sachin Tendulkar to tell BCCI to chuck Chappel out of Indian cricket forever!

About Post Author

Indranil Basu

Indranil Basu is a sports journalist, SG publicist, blogger and commentator with over 25 years of experience in the field.

https://cricblogger.com

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