According to a Times of India report, growing internal differences have created unrest within the Indian men's cricket team. The report claimed the issues began after India's 0-2 Test series defeat against South Africa at home and have gradually affected the atmosphere inside the dressing room.
Differences between the selection committee and Gautam Gambhir's coaching staff have further increased the tension. The BCCI is expected to review the team's performance after the England tour, where the Men in Blue are trailing the five-match T20I series 3-0 ahead of the ODI series starting on July 14.
Indian Dressing Room Tension Has Grown Since the South Africa Series
The atmosphere inside the Indian dressing room has changed since the team's 0-2 home Test series defeat to South Africa. Notably, the report claimed the dressing room is no longer a happy place, with disagreements over selection and team management growing behind the scenes.
The report added that differences between the selectors and Gautam Gambhir's support staff have made planning and decision-making more difficult. It claimed these issues have continued over the past few months despite India's ongoing white-ball tours of Ireland and England.
"This possible move is not due to the team's poor outings in Ireland and England, but rather something that has been brewing over the past few months. It is learnt that cracks have deepened in the dressing room since the two-Test defeat against South Africa at home, and it is not the happiest place to be at the moment. The disagreements between the selectors and the coaching staff have further complicated matters," the report read.
BCCI to Review Team Performance After England Tour
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the board is closely monitoring India's performance during the ongoing T20I series against England. He confirmed that the BCCI will hold a review meeting after the England tour ends on July 19.
"The BCCI is currently observing the performance of the Indian T20 team, which has not been up to the mark in the ongoing series against England. However, this is not something abnormal and can happen in international cricket. We consider it a temporary poor phase. Once the ODI series gets over on July 19 and the team returns, we will hold a review meeting with the core members of the team to discuss what went wrong in England. Since there is an ODI series, we are hopeful that the team will return to good form."
"The review meeting will be strictly about the performance of the team and how course correction can be carried out regarding the shortcomings. Nothing else will be discussed," Saikia said.
Gautam Gambhir-led Coaching Setup Could Change After England Tour
Although BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the review meeting will focus only on the team's performance, the report claimed changes to the coaching staff cannot be ruled out. Notably, the BCCI could review the current support staff before India's tour of Sri Lanka.
The report added that the coming weeks will be crucial for Gautam Gambhir and his support staff. If some members decide to leave, India could travel to Sri Lanka with a reshaped coaching group. The board will also assess the team's overall structure after reviewing the England tour.
Notably, the current situation is very different from the smooth transition after Rahul Dravid, Vikram Rathour, and Paras Mhambrey stepped down following India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. Gambhir had built his preferred support staff after taking charge, but the reported internal disagreements could now lead to another major overhaul.
