Gautam Gambhir's 2007 T20 World Cup winning teammate predicts rift in team India, Gambhir's firing by BCCI

India’s 2007 T20 World Cup hero Joginder Sharma has delivered a sensational statement about his former teammate Gautam Gambhir ahead of his first assignment as the head coach of the Indian Cricket Team against Sri Lanka.

Gambhir succeeded Rahul Dravid as Team India's new head coach after the team’s triumphant campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies. The former Indian opener is currently on a Sri Lanka tour with the Men in Blue, as he is set to kick off his journey with the first T20I on Saturday, July 27, in Pallekele.

Joginder Sharma predicts Gautam Gambhir's shocking exit as India's head coach

In a bombshell revelation on Shubhankar Mishra’s popular podcast, Sharma dropped a sensational prediction that has sent shockwaves through the Indian cricket fraternity. The former pacer boldly claimed that the indomitable Gambhir’s days with the Indian cricket team are numbered.

The 40-year-old, who currently serves as a DSP of police in the Haryana Police, claimed that Gambhir’s straightforward and uncompromising nature might spell his ouster from Team India as head coach. Sharma noted that Gambhir is a man of principles, someone who does not flatter or play political games, but this very integrity could lead to a rift with the players.

Gambhir, known for his fierce dedication and honesty, might find himself at odds with the number of senior players at the side, including Virat Kohli, who has a history of estrangement with the two-time World Cup winner.

Sharma alluded to an impending conflict within the team, but he skillfully refrained from naming the individual and made it clear that it could not be Virat Kohli this time. Despite his stellar work ethic and genuine dedication, Gambhir’s uncompromising stance might just be the key to his exit from the Indian team, according to his former teammate.

His decisions are often such that others don't like them: Joginder Sharma on Gautam Gambhir

Not only Sharma, many have similar opinions regarding Gambhir, but they are hoping for the best, as his leadership is anticipated to bring a new and innovative strategic direction to the dynamics of the Men in Blue.

Joginder Sharma said on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast on YouTube: “I believe that Gautam Gambhir won't be able to stay with Team India for long. Because he has his own decisions. It is possible that Gambhir might have a rift with some player in the middle, and I am not talking about Virat Kohli.

His decisions are often such that others don't like them. Because he is a straightforward person. He doesn't go to anyone. He doesn't cheat anyone. He is not a flatterer. We are the ones who give him credit. I haven't seen him doing anything that I get credit for. He does his work with a true heart and honesty. That's why we give him credit.”

Watch here Joginder Sharma's sensational statement:

Team India के साथ Gambhir का रिश्ता लंबा नहीं चलेगा- Joginder Sharma ( World Champion 2007 ) #<!---->G<!---->a<!---->u<!---->t<!---->a<!---->m<!---->G<!---->a<!---->m<!---->b<!---->h<!---->i<!---->r #<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->S<!---->L p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->g<!---->E<!---->O<!---->e<!---->e<!---->G<!---->8<!---->Z<!---->4<!---->w

— Shubhankar Mishra (@shubhankrmishra) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Notably, Gambhir was appointed India’s head coach after his successful stint as a mentor with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2024. Under his mentorship, KKR won the IPL title after a decade, leading him to become India’s new head coach. He had earlier also worked as the mentor for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the two IPL seasons in 2022 and 2023.