Recent reports suggest that the Indian cricket team's dressing room environment has become "confused and not secured" under the leadership of head coach Gautam Gambhir. This alleged unease stems partly from the exclusion of Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup squad, a decision that has reportedly triggered uncertainty among players regarding the direction of Gambhir's regime.
Gambhir, who took over as coach in July 2024, has apparently adopted a strict approach, emphasizing team strategy over individual "natural game". Following India's defeat in the Melbourne Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gambhir reportedly criticized players for prioritizing their personal style instead of adhering to the team's objectives. He admitted to initially granting players freedom but has since vowed to enforce stricter adherence to team strategies, with consequences for those who fail to comply.
This contrasts with the previous coach, Rahul Dravid, whose three-year tenure was characterized by clearly defined roles and extended opportunities for players to prove themselves. The exclusion of Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup squad has led some players to believe that if a prominent player like Gill can be dropped, anyone could face the axe.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Gill's omission was due to a combination of his recent "short of runs" and the team's desired ترکیب. In his last 14 T20I appearances, Gill has scored 271 runs at an average of 24.63. He also struggled in the recent series against South Africa, scoring just 32 runs across three innings. Agarkar also noted the need to strengthen the top order with an additional wicket-keeper, leading to Gill's exclusion. India selected Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson as the two wicket-keepers in the squad. Suryakumar Yadav echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the selections were driven by roles and structure rather than short-term form. He stated the team wanted a keeper at the top and players like Rinku Singh or Washington Sundar to give flexibility down the order.
Gill's omission is not necessarily a reflection of his quality as a player. Agarkar has stated that Gill remains a key figure in India's plans and expressed hope that he would be the number one batter in the world again by the next World Cup. Suryakumar Yadav also reiterated that Gill is a terrific player, and the decision was based on the team's need for a keeper to bat at the top of the order.
Despite these explanations, the decision to drop Gill, who is the Test and ODI captain and T20 vice-captain, has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about Gambhir's influence on team selection. Some reports suggest that Gambhir favors aggressive powerplay hitters over players with an anchoring style like Gill, prioritizing performance and intent over reputation.
Gambhir's contract with the BCCI extends until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup, but there is a possibility it could be revisited depending on India's performance in the T20 World Cup. The team's performance in the upcoming tournament will likely determine whether Gambhir's approach proves successful or leads to further unrest within the Indian dressing room.
