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Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has reacted to reports of conflict in the dressing room following the team’s loss in the fourth Test series of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Irfan Pathan criticized the leakage of dressing room issues, expressing his disapproval of making such internal matters public.
Reports of internal tensions in the Indian dressing room emerged on New Year’s Day. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was furious with the team’s performance, especially after the second innings collapse. Gambhir expressed his frustration, telling the players, “bahut ho gaya” (I’ve had enough).
Head coach Gautam Gambhir seems to be furious with the team’s performance
According to The Indian Express, Gambhir criticized the players for prioritizing their “natural game” instead of adapting to the situation. The report added that no individual stood out. Having given the team freedom for the past six months, Gambhir announced a stricter approach.
The Team India coach warned that players unwilling to follow his strategies would risk being dropped from the squad. The report also mentioned disagreements between Gambhir and the BCCI selectors as well as captain Rohit Sharma adding to the growing tensions.
What happens in the dressing room… – Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan shared a cryptic message on his social media account regarding the recent reports of internal problems in the team that have been leaked. Pathan said what happens in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room.
What happens in the dressing room, must stay in the dressing room!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 1, 2025
“What happens in the locker room, should stay in the locker room!” Irfan Pathan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Shreevats Goswami and WV Raman have criticized the leakage of dressing room discussions. Goswami condemned the act, calling it unacceptable. Raman questioned how internal conversations were leaked to the media and stressed the importance of allowing players to focus on their work during such a crucial period.
“How did locker room chat get leaked to the media? That’s not on!” Goswami wrote.
How was locker room chat leaked to the media? This is simply not enabled! https://t.co/7QyHs1w69F
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 1, 2025
“#Teamindia has a chance to draw the #BGT. So they need to be allowed to continue with their work. This is not the time to douse selective leaks and fan the fire. My humble view,” he added Raman, who was interviewed for the post of India’s head coach this year, which eventually went to Gambhir.
“The subtle turn to blame the selectors for the unfavorable results has begun! That is, assuming the reports are to be believed…” Raman added.
#TeamIndia has the opportunity to draw #BGT. Therefore, they should be allowed to continue their work. This is not the time to turn off selective leaks and stoke the fire. My humble view. #AUSvINDIA#SCGtest
— WV Raman (@wvraman) January 1, 2025
India’s defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne has seen their World Test Championship (WTC) hopes dashed. To stay in contention, India must win the Sydney Test. However, their chances will still depend on Australia’s performance in the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.
An Australian Test win there would kill India’s prospects. A defeat or draw in Sydney would also mean giving up the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India have held for 10 years, with their last series defeat coming in the 2014-15 tour to Australia.
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