Gautam Gambhir's "coaching tactics" brutally slammed after India dressing room leaks

Team India is going through tough times in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The Men in Blue are trailing the series 1-2 despite winning the first match of the series in Perth.

After a dismal performance in the last three Tests, head coach Gambhir's role is under the scanner. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has spoken on Gambhir's performance as a coach. Basit was highly critical of Gambhir's unusual tactics and questioned his methods.

Also read: Gautam Gambhir issues an official statement after India's Dressing Room chat leaks

Gautam Gambhir's "coaching tactics" brutally slammed by Basit Ali

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali slammed Gautam Gambhir by claiming that he doesn't understand the tactics of a coach. He feels that Gambhir might have done well as the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 but doesn't have the understanding required for Tests.

"Gautam Gambhir ko tactics nahi aati, coaching ki (Gambhir doesn't know coaching tactics). No doubt he guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title (in 2024), but T20s don't need much coaching. In Test matches, even the coach is tested -- what is the coach understanding and planning while sitting on the sidelines?" Basit said.

Gambhir had a stellar role to play as KKR mentor in IPL 2024. His decisions as a mentor proved to be highly successful in KKR's title-winning run. After his tenure with KKR, he was appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team.

The former Pakistan batter feels that Gautam Gambhir missed a chance to play mind games on Australia. According to him, India should have announced the Playing XI and make their tactics clear to Australia.

"He should have straight away announced the playing eleven for the match. He told about Akash Deep missing with a back issue. Then why not announce the team and counter-attack!" Basit noted.

Basit Ali questions Team India's unity

Basit Ali also questioned the unity of Team India by citing an incident where Gautam Gambhir and Jasprit Bumrah were talking to each other while the rest of the team is busy in the training session

"Today a video came out where Gambhir and Bumrah are alone talking, while the rest of the team is warming up. Is that a good sign?" Basit argued.

"Even if they are not talking cricket, every player must be wondering (what are they talking about). If he had to talk, then he should have done it inside the dressing room," he observed.

Gautam Gambhir's difficult tenure as India head coach

Gautam Gambhir's tenure has already faced many difficulties so far. Gambhir saw India lose an ODI series in Sri Lanka for the first time in 27 years despite the presence of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the team.

If this wasn't enough, the Men in Blue were whitewashed 0-3 by a visiting New Zealand team at home. It was a shocking defeat considering India's prowess in home conditions over the last decade.

India started the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a win in the first Test at Perth. But the team lost the plot afterward and lost in Adelaide and Melbourne. The third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw but Australia looked a better team.