Border Gavaskar Trophy: Just the start of the worst phase of Indian Cricket Team?

Former cricketers Irfan Pathan and Sreevats Goswami have expressed their disapproval of recent leaks from the Indian dressing room, which followed a report by The Indian Express detailing coach Gautam Gambhir’s critical remarks after India’s loss to Australia in the Boxing Day Test. Both Pathan and Goswami condemned the breach of confidentiality, stressing the importance of maintaining privacy in team discussions. Pathan, known for his straightforward approach, underscored that the dressing room is a sacred space where players and coaching staff should be able to speak candidly, without fear of their words being exposed to the public. According to him, any conversation held within those walls should remain confidential, as it plays a crucial role in shaping strategies and addressing internal matters without external pressure.

Border Gavaskar Trophy: All is definitely not well in the Indian dressing room

Similarly, Sreevats Goswami weighed in on the issue, calling the leak "unacceptable." He further explained that the sanctity of the dressing room should never be compromised, as it can create unnecessary distractions and tensions. Goswami’s comments highlighted how such leaks could undermine the unity and focus of the team, particularly in high-pressure moments like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The incident has sparked a wider debate on the ethics of information leaks in professional sports, with many questioning the motivations behind such disclosures and the potential harm they could cause to team dynamics. Both Pathan and Goswami's statements reflect a growing concern for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of internal team affairs.

Following the heavy defeat in the India vs Australia Boxing Day Test, coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly delivered a blunt and no-nonsense address to the team, expressing his frustration by saying he "has had enough." Gambhir is said to have criticised the players for focusing too much on their "natural game" instead of adapting to the specific needs of the situation. Although he refrained from naming individuals, his disappointment was clear, as he emphasised that such an inflexible approach would no longer be tolerated.

The report goes on to mention that Gambhir, who took over as coach in July, had initially given the players more freedom over the past six months. However, after the Boxing Day loss, he announced a shift in his management style. Gambhir made it clear that moving forward, he would adopt a more stringent approach, with players expected to strictly follow pre-determined strategies. He warned that those unwilling to comply would be removed from the squad, signaling a more disciplined and results-oriented stance in his coaching. This change marks a significant shift in Gambhir’s approach to leadership, aiming to ensure greater accountability and adaptability within the team.

What happens in the dressing room, should stay in the dressing room!

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 1, 2025

Dressing room chats are sacred . It should never come out.Last thing you want is trust issues inside the dressing room .I hope the players aren’t listening to outside noise before going in to Sydney test.Let’s stay positive and wish the team the very best .start the new years…

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 1, 2025

The recent leaks from the Indian dressing room come at a critical juncture, with India trailing 1-2 in the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy, and the final Test set to take place in Sydney on January 3. The team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma, has faced increasing scrutiny after a series of disappointing results in Test cricket. Notably, India suffered a historic 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand in October-November, marking their first-ever clean sweep defeat in a home Test series.

Rohit Sharma, who missed the opening Test in Perth due to paternity leave, saw Jasprit Bumrah step in as stand-in captain. Under Bumrah’s leadership, India secured a dominant 290-run victory over Australia. However, the team’s fortunes faltered after Rohit’s return. India suffered a crushing 10-wicket loss in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, followed by a rain-affected draw in Brisbane. In Melbourne, India faced further setbacks. After conceding a first-innings lead of 105 runs, allowing Australia to post 474, they failed to capitalize on a promising position. Despite reducing Australia to 91 for 6 in the second innings, India’s inability to finish the job allowed Australia’s lower order to set a challenging target of 330, further complicating India’s hopes in the series. India's hopes of chasing down a record target in Melbourne were dashed early, as they lost three key wickets in the first session. Rohit Sharma’s poor run continued with just 9 runs, while KL Rahul, moved around the batting order, was dismissed for a duck. Virat Kohli followed soon after, falling for 3 with a poor shot just before lunch.

At 33 for 3, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant provided resistance, holding off Australia for over 30 overs in the second session. It seemed India might secure a draw, taking the series into the final Test level at 1-1. However, the game shifted when Pant played a reckless shot, getting out to part-time off-spinner Travis Head. India collapsed dramatically, losing their last seven wickets for just 34 runs, and were bowled out for 155. This marked their first Boxing Day Test defeat in Melbourne in 13 years, with Pant, Rohit, and Kohli facing heavy criticism for their performances.