NEW DELHI: Indian media outlets indicate escalating friction inside the cricket squad’s dressing room as the relationship between head coach Gautam Gambhir and seasoned batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is said to have worsened.
Several sources report that the environment within the ODI team has been heavily tense with the dialogue and confidence between the coach and senior members at their lowest point ever.
The condition apparently deteriorated throughout the ODI series versus Australia, where even with Kohli and Rohit’s comeback the squad couldn’t restore the cohesion and solidarity that were evident during the previous Test series. According to media sources communication, between Gambhir and the two senior members has significantly declined in the weeks.
The abrupt Test retirement declarations by both Kohli and Rohit have also been associated with rising tensions, a situation that reportedly caused rifts in their rapport with the head coach. It is said that the matches versus Australia had a few moments where things were not very pleasant even to the point of a near-complete communication breakdown between Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Similarly, the scant communication between Kohli and Gambhir has contributed to the complexity that is causing the BCCI to be worried. The board is said to be troubled by the atmosphere and the possible effects on the team’s performance and future planning.
Contributing to the strain Gambhir has encountered growing backlash on networks, a pattern that top BCCI authorities are said to be displeased with viewing it as detrimental to team cohesion.
As India gets ready for the ODI series versus South Africa, limited interaction among the team management the head coach and senior players has sparked doubts regarding dressing-room cohesion. According to insiders from the BCCI, the dispute is seen by the organization as a major warning signal for the future. They point out that the coach and senior batsmen getting along well is very important for the next international matches.
The Indian cricket team is said by the media to be going through a sensitive moment, in which regaining trust and unity might be the key to the team’s ongoing success.
