If you are playing at the highest level, you must perform — or face the consequences. This was the blunt message delivered by Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir immediately after India suffered a record 408-run defeat to South Africa, resulting in a 2-0 series loss.
Sources told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) that Gambhir’s veiled warning came just minutes after he was booed by fans in Guwahati. The defeat reflected more than poor performance on the field; it also exposed deeper issues with consistency, temperament, and tactical preparation.
Players Push Back
Indian players, however, are not taking all the blame. Many feel that Gambhir also bears responsibility for the team’s spiraling situation. The toxic atmosphere that plagued the dressing room during the Australia tour seems to have followed the team, leaving players unsure when to be serious and when to relax.
Right now, the dressing room feels like a pathshala — you speak only when spoken to,
Gambhir’s Overreach
Sources reveal that Gambhir has become almost a “non-playing captain,” controlling everything from team selection to field placements, pitch preparation, and bowling changes. “In other words, he is even controlling the captain from outside,” a source added.
Efforts to reach top BCCI officials, who are supposed to decide on Gambhir’s continuation as Test coach, were unsuccessful.
Conservative Tactics and Confusion on the Field
During Day Five of the second Test, instead of encouraging players to show intent against a steep target, Gambhir reportedly instructed the batters to play defensively. Only Ravindra Jadeja partially defied this approach by playing his natural game.
Confusion over pitch conditions further unsettled the team. After conceding nearly 500 runs in the first innings, bowlers initially criticized the flat pitch. Yet after India’s own batting collapse, opinions seemed to shift. Kuldeep Yadav’s composed knock added to the uncertainty, raising questions about whether the pitch or India’s approach was the bigger problem.
Perceived Favoritism and a Fractured Dressing Room
Inside sources suggest Gambhir has extended unconditional support to select players, creating an unhealthy divide within the squad. Many players feel insecure and frustrated, believing they are not being given fair opportunities. This perceived favoritism has deepened tensions in an already fragile dressing room environment.
Adding to the controversy, Gambhir reportedly flew back home immediately after the defeat, with plans to rejoin the team before the ODI series against South Africa. The official broadcaster’s headline — “India Humbled” alongside a cut-out image of Gambhir — summed up the episode starkly.
