No Conflict Among Players, Gambhir Is Competent: Coach Sanjay Bhardwaj
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New Delhi, Jan 2 (NationPress) Sanjay Bhardwaj, who coached Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir during his childhood, has asserted that there is no conflict within the Indian team.
In light of rumors suggesting tension in the locker room following the 184-run defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Gambhir clarified that these are "merely reports, not reality".
In a conversation with IANS, Bhardwaj supported this statement, noting that "such reports" often arise when a team faces a loss.
"Such reports surface whenever a team faces defeat. Gambhir understands he must perform at his best and extract the best from his players to secure victory. He knows the potential of his team and how to manage both seasoned players and newcomers effectively. As far as I am aware, there is no discord within the team. However, Rohit is personally not pleased with his form," Bhardwaj told IANS on Thursday.
During the pre-match press conference ahead of the fifth and final Test in Sydney, Gambhir remained steadfast in his comments, addressing the crucial aspects of the team's challenges.
"The future of Indian cricket is secure as long as sincere individuals remain in the dressing room. Performance is the key to staying in the dressing room. There were candid discussions, and honesty is vital," he expressed.
Gambhir opted not to confirm if captain Rohit Sharma would be included in the playing XI. He was asked about the captain's absence from the customary pre-match press event and whether that hinted at his inclusion in the final lineup.
"Everything is perfectly fine with Rohit. The head coach is present, which should suffice. We will finalize the playing XI based on the pitch conditions," Gambhir stated.
The fifth and final Test of the series is scheduled to take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting Friday. Currently, Australia leads the series 2-1.
