Gautam Gambhir accuses key player of leaking secrets during Australia tour

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly accused youngster Sarfaraz Khan of leaking confidential information from the Indian dressing room during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, following a series of internal controversies, Indian media reported.

Khan, who did not feature in any of the Tests in the series, despite a standout performance in the previous home series against New Zealand, has found himself at the center of the allegations after a series of internal leaks made headlines.

The accusation surfaced during a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) review meeting of the Australia tour in Mumbai, according to a report from News24 Sports.

Gambhir is said to have blamed Khan for disclosing details of a heated exchange between the coaching staff and the players after India’s crushing defeat in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Reports suggest that the leaked information included the details of a strong reprimand by Gambhir, who reportedly expressed frustration over the team's lack of discipline and failure to adhere to game plans.

Khan's omission from the playing XI in the series, despite his impressive 150-run performance in the previous series, has added fuel to speculations surrounding his relationship with the coaching staff.

Sources claim that Gambhir's accusations may have lasting implications on the young player’s career, especially while the head coach remains in charge.

Addressing the controversy ahead of the Sydney Test, Gambhir emphasised the importance of maintaining confidentiality within the team.

"Debates between coach and player should remain in the dressing room. Stern words were exchanged, but those were just reports, not the truth," he said at a pre-match press conference.

Gambhir went on to underline the value of honesty in the team, stressing that performance is the only factor that should determine a player's place in the squad.

“There is only one tendency and one discussion – it’s the team’s first ideology that matters. You need to play what the team needs. You can still play your natural game in a team sport, but if the team needs you to play a certain way, you must do so,” Gambhir asserted, reinforcing his message about team-first thinking.

Reports from The Indian Express revealed that Gambhir had furiously lashed out at the team after the Sydney Test, telling the players, "Bahut ho gaya" ("Enough is enough"), reportedly angered by the batters' failure to adjust their game according to the situation.

Instead of following the pre-planned strategies, some players reportedly continued to play their natural game, which Gambhir believed was detrimental to the team's performance.

The Indian Express also noted a tense atmosphere within the Indian dressing room, with conflicting personalities creating friction, further contributing to the series of leaks that followed India’s 3-1 series loss to Australia.

This has put both Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma under increasing pressure, as questions about the team’s internal dynamics and leadership continue to circulate.

As the Indian team now turns its attention to a white-ball series against England and the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy, the fallout from the recent Test series is likely to linger.