New Delhi: All is reportedly not well in the Indian team after their back-to-back defeats against New Zealand. Tom Latham-led Kiwis hammered India by 113 runs in the recently concluded 2nd Test in Pune to bag their second win on the trot and clinch the three-match series with an unassailable 2-0 lead. New Zealand scripted history by winning their first-ever Test series in India and ending the hosts’ incredible streak of 18 consecutive unbeaten Test series at home.
After the shocking Test series defeat against the visitors, some sensational details have emerged regarding an uproar in the Indian team. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma are reportedly at loggerheads and there has been a rift between the duo. Rohit and Gambhir have reportedly fought over the players’ performances and the overall running of the team.
Rift between Rohit and Gambhir due to multiple reasons
The sensational claims have been made in a video by News 24. In the video, it has been claimed that there have been differences between Rohit and Gambhir regarding decision-making in the team and the performance of some senior players. Citing sources in the Indian team, the anchor claims that Rohit is not liking several decisions that Gambhir has taken since being appointed as the head coach of the Indian team in July this year.
As per the video, both Gambhir and Rohit want to run the team as per their liking. However, Rohit is not getting along well with Gambhir, who takes his decisions on his own and rarely backs down. The Indian skipper is not happy with the way he is being sidelined and his wishes are being ignored.
Gambhir was appointed as Team India’s head coach after helping Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) win the IPL 2024 title earlier this year. The former India opener got to pick his support staff as he brought in the likes of Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel. While Gambhir’s era started with high expectations, India have failed to live up to the hype in Tests and ODIs.
India suffered a 2-0 ODI series defeat in Sri Lanka under Gambhir in August this year. It was India’s first ODI series loss against Sri Lanka in 27 years. India produced a dominant show by whitewashing Bangladesh in both Tests and T20Is at home but have been handed a reality check by New Zealand. The Kiwis headed into the Test series against India after suffering a 2-0 defeat in their last Test series against Sri Lanka.
However, they managed to register back-to-back victories in Bengaluru and Pune to hand India their first Test series defeat at home since 2012.
Gambhir not happy with seniors, Indian team divided
As per the News 24 video, Gambhir is not happy with the way the senior players have performed in the Test series against New Zealand. The India head coach has warned the players to either get their act together and start performing and get ready to be dropped from the team. The likes of Rohit, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have all failed to perform consistently against the Kiwis.
In the video, it was also claimed that the Indian team is currently divided into three factions. While one faction with majority of senior players is supporting Rohit, the other is backing head coach Gambhir. However, there is also a faction of players, who have maintained a neutral stance in the matter and are focused on delivering for the team.