Former India batter Atul Wassan has reignited debate around Gautam Gambhir’s stint as India head coach, making a set of pointed allegations about how his temperament affects players. Wassan, a former Delhi selector as well, said on a YouTube show that some in the dressing room are not comfortable with Gambhir’s aggressive approach.
Quick facts
- Atul Wassan questioned Gautam Gambhir’s coaching style and personality.
- Wassan claimed Gambhir’s presence can create an uncomfortable environment for some players.
- He compared Gambhir’s attitude to a “bully” mindset and said it has shaped his leadership approach.
- Wassan recalled an earlier dispute involving Gambhir and Delhi captaincy selection.
- He alleged that players in India’s setup may be unhappy, though he refused to name them.
Wassan’s comments did not come in isolation. He said he has had issues with Gambhir for years, and linked the latest remarks to an earlier controversy when Gambhir was removed from the Delhi captaincy. At that time, Wassan was working as a Delhi selector, and Gambhir accused the selectors of not informing him about the decision to step him down.
Speaking on Vickey Lalwani’s YouTube channel, Wassan said he has known Gambhir personally since childhood. He described Gambhir as someone who demands compliance, calling him a bully and adding that the same nature was visible during Gambhir’s time in Delhi cricket.
Wassan also argued that Gambhir’s ego operates at a different level and suggested that his mindset influences how decisions are made around him. He claimed Gambhir effectively expects others to accept his word as final, warning that players who do not “fall in line” can end up on the wrong side of his leadership.
“I have known him personally since he was a child. I have had my issues with him,” Wassan said, adding that the relationship, in his view, is built on a strict “my way or the highway” approach. He further claimed Gambhir’s aggression helped him succeed in cricket, while also noting that the same traits fuelled clashes—specifically mentioning Virat Kohli.
Wassan expanded on the theme by suggesting Gambhir’s mindset makes him perform best when he feels challenged. He said Gambhir’s competitive nature comes from fighting instincts, describing it as something he continues to carry into high-pressure situations. He also suggested Gambhir is still “confronting” opponents in line with that alpha-male style associated with his Delhi days.
In a brief jab at results, Wassan pointed to imperfections in Gambhir’s coaching record. He referred to a home sequence of matches, saying India lost “2-3” in that stretch, while implying that not everything has gone smoothly under his leadership.
“All players cannot be in a happy place”
From personality to management, Wassan then delivered his most direct claim: he alleged that some players within the Team India environment are unhappy with how Gambhir handles things. He said he is confident that not every member of a strong set-up can be in a “happy place,” arguing that pressure and discomfort can be part of the system.
Wassan claimed that personal likes and dislikes can shape the relationship between a coach and players, especially when the coach has a dominant personality. He argued that winning can silence criticism, but when results go against the team, players and observers are more likely to question decisions and approach.
When asked to identify the individuals who are not content, Wassan refused to name names. He said he knows “1-2” players who likely feel that way, but added that they would not speak publicly, and that he cannot reveal their identities on the show.
Wassan said that even if a coach sidelines a small number of players, the coach’s version of events becomes the accepted one if the team continues to win. He stressed that cricket is a team sport, and that players often do not get listened to when the coach is successful, concluding that if the coach brings results, then the coach is viewed as right and the players as wrong.
