Gautam Gambhir accuses Sarfaraz Khan of leaking dressing room information during Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Report

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly accused Sarfaraz Khan of leaking dressing room information during the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, which India lost 1-3. According to a report in News24, Gambhir made the claim during BCCI’s recent meeting to review India’s performance Down Under.

Sarfaraz’s career under threat as far as Gambhir is in charge: Report

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma also attended the meeting. The report adds that Sarfaraz’s career might be under threat as long as Gambhir is in charge of the Indian team. Sarfaraz did not et to play a single game in Australia. The report, however, did not clarify if Gambhir had any proof against Sarfaraz in this matter.

After the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, the Indian Express reported that Gambhir told his players in dressing room that he’s had enough. India were 1-2 down in the five-match series after their 184-run loss in the fourth Test. “Bahut ho gaya (I’ve had enough),” Gambhir said, while also adding that players should play as per the match situation and not just the natural game. Gambhir, however, rubbished the reports ahead of the fifth Test in Sydney. “Debates between coach and player should remain in the dressing room. Stern words. They were just reports, not truth," he said.

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“Indian cricket will be in safe hands till honest people stay in the dressing room. The only thing that keeps you in the dressing room is performance. There were honest words and honesty is important. There is only one tendency and there is only one discussion – it’s the ‘Team First’ ideology that matters. You need to play what the team needs. You can still play your natural game in a team sport – but if the team needs you – you need to play in a certain way," he had added.

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Gambhir has endured a forgettable start to his coaching stint with Team India. India lost an ODI series against Sri Lanka. A 2-0 Test series win at home over Bangladesh was followed by a 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand, also at home. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss is Gambhir’s latest setback as head coach.

According to news agency PTI, the BCCI could reevaluate Gambhir’s performance after the 2025 Champions Trophy that begins on 19 February. Gambhir’s contract, however, runs till the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.

There have also been reports of tensions between senior players and Gambhir, especially skipper Rohit Sharma. However, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has denied reports of a rift between the two. India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign wit a Group A match against Bangladesh on 20 February. That will be followed by a blockbuster clash against Pakistan on 23 February, before taking on New Zealand on 2 March. India will play all their matches in Dubai.

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