Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has accused batter Sarfaraz Khan of leaking confidential dressing room details to the media, according to reports. The accusations were made during a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) review meeting in Mumbai following India’s 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Left out of the playing XI in the entire series despite his solid performances in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz is alleged to have spoken about the heated exchange Gautam Gambhir had with the players in the dressing room following India’s loss in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Reports said Gambhir berated the team for not sticking to game plans and accused a few players of letting personal styles dominate over the strategy of the team.
The controversy has further put a dark shadow over Sarfaraz’s future in the national team as long as Gautam Gambhir remains head coach, but according to sources, he is not likely to get a place in the squad. There has been no official word from either Gambhir or Sarfaraz regarding the allegations.
The issue was addressed by Gautam Gambhir at a press conference, touching on issues of team unity and confidentiality. “Internal matters should stay within the dressing room. Performance and discipline are what defines a player’s role in the team,” he said.
The tirade has only intensified scrutiny on the very dynamics of the Indian team with reports of trouble brewing between players and coaching staff. The big guns, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are being made to feel the heat with their below-par performances in the series. Reports further say that both were asked to play in the Ranji Trophy before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The dark clouds hanging over the horizon are in relief against the backdrop of an impending white-ball series against England in which India is caught. Such scenarios are likely in their demise after the Border-Gavaskar disappointment.
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