'Bahut ho gaya': Gautam Gambhir loses cool post MCG Test defeat, issues stern warning to players - Report

Gautam Gambhir loses cool after MCG Test loss. (Photo: PTI)

India’s dressing room witnessed some stern words from head coach Gautam Gambhir after their disappointing collapse in the Melbourne Test on Monday. The team lost seven wickets in just 20.4 overs, handing Australia a decisive victory. Gambhir, visibly frustrated, delivered a strong message to the squad, declaring, “Bahut ho gaya (I’ve had enough),” as he criticized the players for prioritizing their “natural game” over situational awareness.

Though Gambhir didn’t name anyone specifically, his message was clear: the team’s approach needed to change. The coach, who took charge on July 9, stated that he had allowed the players freedom over the past six months but would now enforce stricter strategies. He warned that those unwilling to adhere to his methods would face the consequences, hinting at potential exclusions, as per an Indian Express report.

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With India trailing 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final dwindling, Gambhir drew a firm line in the sand. His speech addressed the tension between individual intent and collective goals, urging players to execute team strategies instead of acting independently.

The team’s batting failures have been a recurring issue, with problems dating back to the Bangladesh home series in September. In the Melbourne Test, key players made costly mistakes. Virat Kohli, in a critical moment, chased a wide delivery just before lunch on the final day, putting India on the defensive. Rishabh Pant’s rash shot selection—playing a lap shot off a pacer in the first innings and a reckless pull against part-time spinner Travis Head in the second—triggered collapses. Rohit Sharma, struggling with form, fell to an across-the-line shot, while Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ill-advised pull shot late in the evening sealed India’s defeat.

Sources suggest the dressing room atmosphere has been tense for some time, with friction evident even before the first Test in Australia. Gambhir reportedly advocated for the recall of veteran Cheteshwar Pujara, who has 100 Tests under his belt, but selectors rejected the proposal. Despite India’s victory in Perth, Gambhir continued to emphasize Pujara’s potential value to the team.

As the series progresses, Gambhir’s no-nonsense approach and insistence on discipline mark a turning point for India’s campaign.

Captain Rohit Sharma has faced mounting criticism for his prolonged poor form with the bat, a concern echoed for Virat Kohli, who has repeatedly fallen victim to deliveries outside the off-stump throughout the series.

With Australia having already secured an unassailable lead in the series, India’s hopes now rest on the fifth and final Test in Sydney, scheduled for January 3. A victory there would allow India to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, salvaging a disappointing campaign.