India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, is facing new criticism despite his successful start, thanks to bold remarks from former Indian bowler Atul Wassan. Wassan expressed concerns about Gambhir’s management style, calling him a bully and suggesting that his tough approach has caused unease among several senior players.
So far, Gambhir’s time as coach has been successful, especially in white-ball cricket. Under his leadership, India clinched both the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup earlier this year. However, these achievements have been marred by rumors of discord within the team, especially following the unexpected retirements of stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket during the IPL 2025 season.
Wassan, who has observed Gambhir’s journey from his early days, noted that Gambhir’s aggressive demeanor, which made him an exceptional batsman, may not be serving him well as a coach. Speaking with Vickey Lalwani, Wassan reflected on their history, saying, “He has always been about my way or the highway. He can be quite bullying, even in local cricket.”
He further described Gambhir’s approach as one that insists on total obedience. “His ego is on a different level. If he says it’s night when it’s morning, he expects everyone to believe it. If you don’t agree with him, you’re on his bad side.”
### THE KOHLI SITUATION
One of the biggest challenges for Gambhir has been his relationship with Virat Kohli. Although the two previously attempted to improve their rapport through an interview, rumors of a rift still linger. Wassan believes this tension stems from their similar aggressive styles. “That’s why he has issues with Kohli—two strong personalities can clash,” he said, humorously adding that Gambhir might even argue with the windows in his home.
While successful coaches are often shielded from criticism, Wassan indicated that the atmosphere within the Indian team isn’t entirely positive. He claimed that Gambhir’s “stick-over-carrot” method has fostered a fear-based environment. “Not every player can be truly happy. Some must feel anxious,” he said. “If you lead with fear and keep winning, things might seem fine, but if the team loses, the coach will have to face the music.”
Although he didn’t name names, Wassan hinted that the dissatisfaction runs deep. “I know a few players who are unhappy, but they won’t voice it. Everyone knows what’s going on. If the coach manages to win while ignoring those issues, he will seem right, and the players will appear wrong.”
As the season unfolds, only time will tell how these dynamics will impact the Indian cricket team and Gambhir’s future as its coach.
