- By Sports desk
- Thu, 07 May 2026 03:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Former India speedster Atul Wassan slammed Gautam Gambhir’s time as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, claiming that several players are unsure about their place in the side across different formats. Wassan also alleged that some players are uncomfortable with Gambhir’s aggressive leadership style.
Wassan and Gambhir's tense relationship
Wassan and Gambhir have shared a tense relationship dating back to Gambhir’s playing days. In the 2017-18 domestic season, Gambhir publicly criticised the Delhi selection committee, which was headed by Wassan, after he was removed as Delhi captain. Gambhir later said that the selectors had not informed him about the decision beforehand.
Wassan's Allegations on Gautam Gambhir
Speaking on Vickey Lalwani’s YouTube show, Wassan opened up about Gambhir’s personality and said his aggressive approach has remained unchanged since his early cricketing days.
“He will try to harm you. I have known him personally since he was a child. I have had my issues with him. With him, it’s about my way or the highway. He is like that, and he would bully a lot, even in Delhi cricket. His nature is only like that. From the start, he was from money, that nature only, an excellent player, and he is intelligent.”
“His ego is on a different level. He thinks that if he says it’s night when it’s morning, it will be believed to be night. Fall in line. If you don’t fall in line, you are on my hit list. He will try to harm you, but he has achieved a lot in cricket, and his nature helped him in cricket,” he said.
Wassan on Gambhir's fiery attitude
Wassan added that Gambhir’s fiery attitude played a big role in shaping his career as a successful cricketer. According to him, that same intensity can still be seen in Gambhir’s behaviour as a coach.
“The player he became is because of his nature. He couldn’t give his best unless he fights. He probably goes and fights in the mirror at home. He thinks it still drives him. That’s why he is confronting [Virat] Kohli… over-aggressiveness and an alpha-male kind of personality from Delhi. He has lost and has also won also.”
India's performance under head coach Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir took over as India head coach from Rahul Dravid in July 2024. His tenure has produced mixed results so far. India won the Champions Trophy in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026 under him, but the team has also suffered disappointing results at home. India lost Test series against New Zealand and South Africa, while the Kiwis also defeated India in an ODI series earlier this year.
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“His report card has blemishes. The home series that we have lost, two or three. There’s still time to evaluate his record,” said Wassan.
Gambhir's coaching style left some players under pressure
The former Delhi pacer further claimed that Gambhir’s strict coaching methods have left some players under pressure.
“I am sure that all the players cannot be in a happy place. Somebody will be sleeping on needles; this happens. Personal likes and dislikes, and that too with such a strong personality. With personal likes and dislikes, and leading them with a stick, if you keep on winning, then it’s fine. But if you lose, then you need to listen to criticism,” he said.
Players in Indian squad unhappy with Gautam Gambhir
Wassan did not reveal the names of the players but hinted that a few members of the squad were unhappy.
“I know 1-2 of them; they won’t say it openly. I can’t say their names in this show. Everyone knows whats happening. But after sidelining those 2-4 players, if you win, then it’s your world.”
“It’s a team sport; nobody will listen to the player. If the coach wins even after all this, then the coach is right, and the player is wrong.”