Ex-India Cricketer Claims Gambhir's Coaching Divides Dressing Room

Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has sparked fresh talk about the dressing room atmosphere under head coach Gautam Gambhir, suggesting not every player is comfortable with the former opener's intense and uncompromising approach. He pointed to a environment where white-ball success has masked underlying tensions and hinted that a few players feel sidelined. Speaking on Vickey Lalwani's YouTube show, Wassan said, I am sure that all the players cannot be in a happy place. Somebody will be sleeping on needles; this happens. Personal likes and dislikes, and that too with such a strong personality, lead to friction. With personal likes and dislikes, and leading them with a stick, if you keep on winning, then it's fine. But if you lose, then you need to listen to criticism.

When asked if he personally knew players who were dissatisfied, Wassan refused to name anyone but suggested there were 1-2 cricketers who felt sidelined. I know 1-2 of them; they won't say it openly. It's a team sport; nobody will listen to the player. If the coach wins even after all this, then the coach is right, and the player is wrong, he added. Wassan's relationship with Gambhir has been fraught in the past; during Wassan's time as a Delhi selector, Gambhir was removed as Delhi captain in a controversy that still lives in cricket circles.

The remarks come as the Indian squad undergoes changes, including retirements and captaincy shifts, prompting broader debates about leadership style and team culture. While Gambhir has delivered white-ball success, critics have questioned whether his confrontational method is suited to every format and set of players.

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