The atmosphere within the Indian cricket team has reportedly been tense, with concerns about poor communication between captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. This issue seems to have escalated even before the team arrived in Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. What began as isolated incidents has now evolved into a significant problem, potentially impacting the team’s long-term cohesion and success.
Communication Gap Widens
Under the previous leadership of Rohit Sharma and former coach Rahul Dravid, players praised the clear communication regarding their roles and future in the team. Even difficult conversations, such as informing players about being dropped, were handled tactfully. For instance, Wriddhiman Saha was clearly told about the team’s decision to move forward with KS Bharat as the backup wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant. While these discussions weren’t easy, Dravid was lauded for his transparent approach.
However, the current regime under Rohit and Gambhir seems to have taken a step back. Several players have reportedly been left in the dark about their roles, leading to frustration and confusion.
Discontent Among Players
The cracks first became visible during key moments of the recent Australian tour. Shubman Gill’s exclusion from the Playing XI in Melbourne and Ravichandran Ashwin’s omission in Perth raised eyebrows. While the management claimed that these decisions were communicated effectively, Ashwin’s surprise mid-series retirement and Gill’s evident disappointment painted a different picture.
A journalist from The Australian highlighted an incident where a reserve Indian player expressed his anguish over the lack of communication. The player, who met the journalist late at night at a kebab shop, reportedly asked, “Has Gauti bhai said anything about me? Has Rohit mentioned me at all?” This player’s dejected demeanor underscored the growing frustration among reserves, including Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed, who were part of the touring squad.
Lessons from the Past
The contrasting leadership styles of past and present regimes reveal the importance of open dialogue within the team. In the Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri era, as well as previous tenures, players often struggled with unclear communication about their futures. This issue was temporarily resolved during the Rohit-Dravid phase, but the current leadership appears to have reverted to older, less effective practices.
Moving Forward
As the Indian team grapples with internal challenges, it is imperative for the leadership to address these concerns promptly. Transparent communication not only strengthens trust within the team but also ensures clarity and motivation for all players, whether they are in the Playing XI or waiting for their chance on the sidelines.
The coming months will be critical in determining how the Indian cricket management resolves these issues and whether they can rebuild the camaraderie essential for consistent success on the international stage.
