Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has stirred fresh debate by suggesting that the mood inside the national team under head coach Gautam Gambhir is not as harmonious as outsiders might assume, even with India’s recent success in limited-overs cricket. Wassan, who has previously criticised Gambhir and also worked as a Delhi selector during a controversial stretch of the coach’s domestic career, claimed that some players may feel uneasy with Gambhir’s hard-edged, uncompromising style.
Wassan’s claims about the India dressing room
- Wassan said he believes not every player can be fully comfortable in the current environment, describing the situation as one where players may feel under pressure and uncomfortable.
- Speaking on Vickey Lalwani’s YouTube show, he alleged that a section of the squad is unhappy with Gambhir’s management approach and strong personality.
- He added that winning can temporarily mask internal friction, but if results go against the team, then players should be ready for criticism and scrutiny.
- When asked whether he personally knows cricketers who are dissatisfied, Wassan declined to name individuals, while indicating that at least “1-2” players could be among those affected.
- He suggested that those players are unlikely to speak openly, and argued that the team’s structure can leave little room for a player to be heard against the coach’s authority.
- Wassan concluded that if the coach still delivers victories after sidelining certain players, it becomes easier for the coach to be viewed as “right,” regardless of the players’ concerns.
Past tensions between Wassan and Gambhir
Wassan and Gambhir have had a strained history. During Wassan’s tenure as a selector for Delhi, Gambhir was removed from the role of Delhi captain, a decision that triggered controversy. Wassan claimed at the time that Gambhir was not made aware of the move properly.
Gambhir’s India coaching timeline and results
Gautam Gambhir began his stint as India’s head coach on July 10, 2024, taking over from Rahul Dravid. His period in charge has delivered mixed outcomes across formats, with particular contrast between India’s limited-overs dominance and their struggles in Test cricket.
In white-ball cricket, India built a strong run and became the first team to hold the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Champions Trophy 2025, and the Asia Cup 2025 titles simultaneously. However, during the same coaching stretch, India’s red-ball performances faced intense examination.
- India suffered rare home series whitewashes against New Zealand and South Africa.
- They also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia for the first time in 10 years.
Senior-player milestones during the Gambhir era
Several major career developments involving senior India players also took place during Gambhir’s time as head coach. Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from all international cricket midway through the 2024-25 Test series against Australia, following the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Later, in May 2025, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped away from Test cricket, ending an era for India’s batting lineup. Earlier in 2025, Rohit had also been removed as India’s ODI captain even after guiding the team to the Champions Trophy title that year, with Shubman Gill subsequently taking over the role.
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