Amid growing criticism following India’s defeat in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, reports suggest a widening rift between head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management. According to The Indian Express, Gambhir advocated for veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara’s inclusion to stabilize India’s faltering top order, but the selectors rejected his proposal.
Gambhir Pushes for Pujara
Pujara, who has been out of the Indian Test side since the 2023 World Test Championship final, has an impressive record in Australia, scoring 993 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 47.28. His performances during the 2018 and 2020–21 tours, where he faced over 2,000 balls, were instrumental in India’s historic series wins. Despite his struggles in the WTC final, Gambhir reportedly believed Pujara’s resilience could address India’s current batting woes.
Gambhir’s advocacy for the 36-year-old persisted even after India’s victory in the first Test of the series. His call for Pujara’s return underscores concerns over the team’s inconsistent top-order performances.
Dressing Room Tensions
Adding to the drama, Gambhir reportedly delivered a scathing review of the team’s performances after their defeat in Melbourne. Another Indian Express report claimed an unnamed senior player is eyeing interim captaincy, questioning current skipper Rohit Sharma’s leadership and the readiness of younger players to step up.
Pujara’s Legacy
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood recently acknowledged Pujara’s ability to frustrate bowlers, saying, “I am happy that Cheteshwar Pujara is not here. He is someone who makes you earn every wicket.” Despite Pujara’s absence, India’s struggles with their batting order have exposed vulnerabilities, leaving critics to question if Gambhir’s concerns were justified.
As tensions escalate within the dressing room, the reported clashes between Gambhir and the selectors could signal larger challenges for Indian cricket. A decision on leadership and team strategy may be necessary to ensure stability and success in future series.
