Despite a trophy-laden start to his tenure, India head coach Gautam Gambhir finds himself under fresh scrutiny following former India pacer Atul Wassan’s explosive claims. In a candid assessment of the internal dynamics of the national team, Wassan described Gambhir as a bully and claimed that his rigid management style had left several senior players uneasy.
Gambhir’s stint has been fruitful on the face of it, at least in white-ball cricket. Under his supervision, India has secured both the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup earlier this year. However, Silver has been accompanied by rumors of a fractured dressing room, chatter that has intensified after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket midway through IPL 2025.
Wassan, who has followed Gambhir’s rise from the junior circuit in Delhi, suggested that the coach’s fighting nature is deep-rooted. In an interview with Vicky Lalwani, Wassan noted that while Gambhir’s aggression has made him a top-class opening batsman, he is proving to be a double-edged sword in the dugouts.
“I knew him personally since childhood. I had my problems with him,” Wassan said. “It’s my way or the highway with him. He’s like that and would bully a lot, even in Delhi cricket.”
Wassan attributed this friction to a personality that demands absolute submission.
“His ego is on another level. He thinks if he says it’s night when it’s morning, it’s going to be believed to be night. Get in line. If you don’t fall in, you’re on my hit list.”
KOHLI’S CONUNDRUM
The most enduring shadow over Gambhir’s reign has been his relationship with Virat Kohli. Although a couple he brilliantly sat down for the interview with the hatchet buried with Gambhir’s appointment and Kohli flourishing in ODIs in the new regime, reports of a cold war persist. Wassan believes friction is inevitable given their similar natures.
“That’s why he’s facing Virat Kohli: too much aggression and an alpha-male personality from Delhi. I think it’s in Delhi’s water,” claimed Wassan, adding that Gambhir “probably goes and fights with the window in his house.”
While winning usually provides a shield for any head coach, Wassan indicated that the atmosphere inside the Indians camp is far from harmonious. He argued that Gambhir’s “stick it over the carrot” approach had created a culture of fear for some.
“I’m sure all the players can’t be in a very happy place. Someone will be sleeping on pins and needles,” Wassan said. “With personal likes and dislikes and management sticks, if you keep winning then that’s fine. But if you lose, then you have to listen to the criticism.”
Although Wassan declined to name specific individuals, he indicated that the discontent was shared by more than a few.
“I know one or two of them; they won’t say it openly. Everyone knows what’s going on. But after these players are eliminated, if you win, it’s your world.”
“If the coach wins after all that, then the coach is right and the player is wrong.”
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
07 May 2026 19:01 IST
