Gautam Gambhir On Sticky Wicket Amid Rift With Senior Players and Push to End ‘Superstar Culture’

India’s head coach faces scrutiny ahead of the Champions Trophy following a poor run in Australia and tension in the dressing room over cultural changes.

January 14, 2025: India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir finds himself under scrutiny as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prepares to evaluate his tenure ahead of next month’s Champions Trophy. Concerns over Gambhir’s approach to dismantling the “superstar culture” in the team, coupled with India’s recent dismal performances, have sparked speculation about his position.

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Since Gambhir’s appointment in July last year, India has lost six of its 10 Test matches and an ODI series in Sri Lanka. The disappointing results have also raised questions about the international futures of key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, whose form has been underwhelming.

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Adding to the pressure are reports of a strained relationship between Gambhir and senior players during the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia, where India lost 1-3. A senior BCCI official, speaking anonymously, stated, “If India doesn’t perform well in the Champions Trophy, Gambhir’s position could become untenable. His contract runs until the 2027 World Cup, but cricket is a result-oriented game, and so far, he hasn’t delivered.”

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Gambhir has reportedly been working to eliminate the “superstar culture” that he perceives as detrimental to team unity. Known for his firm leadership, Gambhir famously dropped Brendon McCullum during Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL final against CSK in 2012. A source close to the coach explained, “Gambhir wants to dismantle the superstar culture in the Indian team, but this has caused discomfort among some senior players.”

Instances of discord reportedly include Gambhir rejecting senior players’ specific demands for hotels and practice schedules during the Australia tour. Meanwhile, some players have criticized Gambhir for a lack of communication.

The BCCI has already reviewed India’s performance in Australia and highlighted the growing tensions. The board’s evaluation process is expected to continue through the Champions Trophy, a critical tournament for Gambhir’s tenure as head coach.

Tags:
Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Indian cricket team, BCCI evaluation, Champions Trophy, cricket controversies, superstar culture, Indian cricket coach, Border-Gavaskar Trophy.