The Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne turned dramatically within just 2 hours for Team India. The Indian team had a chance to draw the match but ended up losing by 184 runs. India lost 7 wickets in just 20.4 overs. Following this defeat, Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir appeared visibly frustrated in the dressing room. He made it clear by saying, “Enough is enough.” Gambhir expressed his disappointment with the senior players’ form and approach. While he didn’t take any names during his speech, he sent a strong message to players who were making excuses about playing a neutral game, emphasizing that they must adapt according to the situation.
Gautam Gambhir, who took over as head coach on July 9, revealed that he had given players the freedom to play their way for the past six months, but from now on, he will decide how the team plays. According to a report by The Indian Express, Gambhir warned players to follow the rules strictly. He also stated that players who fail to follow the pre-defined strategies would be shown the door with a “Thank you.”
Team India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final are now nearly over. The only way India can still qualify is if they win the Sydney Test and Australia loses at least one Test and draws or loses the other in their two-match series against Sri Lanka. If Australia wins, they will qualify for the final.
Sources revealed that Gambhir addressed the conflict between intent and team interests. He told the players that instead of following pre-discussed plans, they were playing according to their own will. Gambhir also pointed out that Indian batsmen had been struggling since the home series against Bangladesh in September.
On the final day of the Melbourne Test, just before lunch, Virat Kohli was dismissed after chasing a wide delivery, putting the team on the back foot. Rishabh Pant, in the first innings, played a risky lap shot against a fast bowler and got out. In the second innings, he fell to a short ball from part-time spinner Travis Head, pulling it to long-on and gifting the opposition momentum.
Rohit Sharma, struggling for rhythm and form, played a cross-the-line shot and was dismissed in the second innings. Similarly, Yashasvi Jaiswal attempted a pull shot despite a field set for that stroke and lost his wicket late in the evening.
Several sources within Indian cricket revealed that the dressing room atmosphere has been far from ideal. Tensions were evident even before the first Test in Australia. Reports suggest that Gautam Gambhir insisted on including experienced batter Cheteshwar Pujara in the squad, but the selectors rejected the idea. Even after India’s victory in the Perth Test, Gambhir continued advocating for Pujara’s return.
The loss in the Melbourne Test and the visible frustration of the coach indicate a turning point for Team India as they face tougher challenges ahead.