The Indian team has been under the scanner ever since they lost the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. According to a report by *The Indian Express*, there is a growing rift between head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management, which is said to have originated from the side’s lacklustre performances in the series. Aggrieved by the underwhelming shows, Gambhir is said to have recommended the comeback of veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara, but the selectors rejected the proposal.
Pujara has been out of the national squad since the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. Despite struggling in that match, with scores of 14 and 27, his overall record in Australia—993 runs in 11 matches at a stellar average of 47.28—speaks volumes about his capability.
Gambhir was still insisting on the inclusion of Pujara despite the fragility of India’s top order. Even after winning the first Test in Perth, Gambhir was said to be pushing for the return of Pujara, believing that the experienced batter could provide much-needed stability and composure.
It said that even the head coach of the side severely criticized its major players for the team’s disastrous performance, and this has left them pretty disturbed ahead of the fifth Test at Sydney, according to an Indian Express report. In addition, another Indian Express report says a senior player will step up as acting captain with young players considered unprepared for leadership roles.
Impact on Pujara in Australia
Pujara has been the backbone of India’s past victories in Australia. He was the top scorer in the 2018-19 series, scoring 521 runs, as India won its first-ever Test series in Australia. Pujara is famous for his patience and the ability to tire out the bowlers. Opponents, including Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, have praised Pujara, who said before the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar series:
“I am happy that Cheteshwar Pujara is not here. He is someone who bats time and spends a lot of time at the crease and makes you earn his wicket every time.”
But it is in the absence of Gambhir that India has struggled to get going. And with rising tensions within the dressing room, Gambhir‘s candid evaluation of the team’s performances could signal deeper challenges ahead for Indian cricket.
