Former Indian cricketer Atul Wasan Has made an explosive comment about the atmosphere within the Indian team under the head coach. Gautam GambhirClaiming that not every player is comfortable with the former opener’s fierce and uncompromising style. Wasan, who has been critical of Gambhir in the past and once served as the Delhi selector during a controversial phase of Gambhir’s domestic career, suggested that there is tension in the current Indian dressing room despite the team’s success in white-ball cricket.
Speaking on Vicky Lalwani’s YouTube show, Wasan alleged that few players in the Indian set-up were unhappy with Gambhir’s management style and strong personality. “I’m sure not all players can be in a happy place. Someone is going to be sleeping on a needle, it happens, personal likes and dislikes, and that too with such a strong personality, personal likes and dislikes, and taking them with a stick, if you keep winning, that’s fine. But if you lose, you need to listen to criticism.” The former India fast bowler was then asked if he personally knew any players who were unhappy under Gambhir’s leadership. Declining to be named, Wasan indicated that there are few cricketers who feel isolated. “I know 1-2 of them, they won’t say it openly, I can’t name them on this show, everyone knows what’s going on, but after sidelining those 2-4 players, if you win, it’s your world, it’s a team game, nobody’s going to listen to the players, if after all that the coach wins, then the coach is wrong,” and the coach said he was wrong. Wasan and Gambhir have had strained relations in the past. As the Delhi selector during Wasan, Gambhir was removed as Delhi’s captain, a move that sparked controversy after the former India opener claimed that he was not properly informed about the decision. Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as the head coach of India on 10 July 2024. His tenure has produced mixed results across all formats. India enjoyed a dominant run in white-ball cricket, becoming the first team to simultaneously lift the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Champions Trophy 2025 and Asia Cup 2025 titles. However, India’s Red Ball performances during the same period have come under much scrutiny. The team suffered unusual home series whitewashes against New Zealand and South Africa, while handing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia for the first time in 10 years. Gambhir’s coaching has also seen several significant developments involving senior players. Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from all international cricket in the middle of the 2024–25 Test series against Australia after the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane. Months later, both Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Retired from Test cricket in May 2025, ending an era in India’s batting line-up. Rohit was dropped as India’s ODI captain earlier this year despite winning the Champions Trophy title. Shabman Gul Later took over the role.
