Gautam Gambhir blames Sarfaraz Khan for 'dressing room leak' during BGT review - Report

Gautam Gambhir blames Sarfaraz Khan. (Photo: AP)

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly accused young cricketer Sarfaraz Khan of leaking information from the Indian team’s dressing room during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sarfaraz, who did not feature in a single Test in the series despite a stellar 150-run performance in the previous home series against New Zealand, has found himself at the center of controversy.

According to a report by News24 Sports, Gambhir made the allegations during the BCCI’s review meeting of the Australia tour in Mumbai. He claimed Sarfaraz disclosed details of an intense speech he delivered to the team following India’s heavy defeat in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). It has been suggested that Gambhir’s discontent could impact Sarfaraz's career while he remains in charge.

In a pre-match press conference ahead of the Sydney Test, Gambhir defended the principle of maintaining confidentiality within the team. Dismissing the reports, he emphasized the importance of integrity in the dressing room.

“Discussions between the coach and players must stay private. These were just speculations, not facts,” Gambhir stated. “Indian cricket will thrive as long as honest individuals uphold the sanctity of the dressing room. Performance is the only currency that matters. The team-first ideology must prevail above all else. While players can express their natural game, they must adapt to the team’s requirements in critical situations.”

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Reports from The Indian Express after the Sydney Test revealed that Gambhir had strongly reprimanded the team during the series. Frustrated by batters prioritizing their “natural game” over team strategy, he reportedly told them, “Bahut ho gaya” (Enough is enough). The dressing room environment was described as turbulent, with multiple personalities clashing and creating disorder.

The allegations and the strained atmosphere have highlighted the challenges facing the Indian team during the series, raising questions about the dynamics within the dressing room under Gambhir's leadership.