New Delhi: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir appears to be at odds with the BCCI over both team selection and playing strategies. According to an explosive report, Gambhir expressed anger over his team’s performance, particularly as they suffered a loss on Day 5 of the fourth Test in Melbourne during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The report also mentions that Gambhir has strongly advocated for the return of Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara to the squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.
According to a report by The Indian Express, there has been growing tension within the Indian dressing room, particularly regarding team selection. The report reveals that Gautam Gambhir had repeatedly pushed for the inclusion of Cheteshwar Pujara before the first Test against Australia in Perth. However, his requests were overlooked by the selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar. Even after India won the Perth Test, Gambhir continued to advocate for Pujara’s inclusion.
Pujara, with 103 Test matches to his name and an average of 43.60, played a crucial role in India’s previous series wins in Australia but hasn’t been part of the team since the 2023 World Test Championship final.
India’s ongoing struggles with the top-order batting have been apparent in the current series, and before it began, Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood expressed relief that Pujara wasn’t part of the squad.
Gambhir’s tenure as head coach has been marred by further issues, with reports indicating that he has had disagreements with the selectors and the captain regarding the selection of the playing XI for the Australia series. Specifically, his choices to include Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar were reportedly met with differing opinions within the Indian camp.
Additionally, Gambhir has expressed frustration over how the players have been unable to implement strategies effectively on the field.
