A day after India’s disheartening defeat to Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a video of head coach Gautam Gambhir’s animated discussion with captain Suryakumar Yadav has exploded across social media. The footage, captured shortly after the match, vividly portrays Gambhir’s intense frustration as he engaged in a serious conversation with his captain following India’s significant batting collapse.
This intense exchange occurred after Australia’s convincing six-wicket victory in the second T20I, which saw them take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. India’s batting lineup crumbled, managing a mere 125 runs after being asked to bat first.
Abhishek Sharma stood out as the only performer with a brilliant 68 runs off just 37 balls, complemented by Harshit Rana’s 35. Shockingly, no other Indian batsman managed to reach double figures, highlighting a severe collapse.
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood was the architect of India’s downfall, delivering an exceptional spell of 3 for 13, dismantling key batsmen like Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma swiftly.
In response, Australia’s openers, Mitchell Marsh (46 off 26) and Travis Head (28 off 15), launched an aggressive assault, quickly setting the pace. Despite commendable efforts from Indian bowlers like Bumrah, Kuldeep, and Varun Chakravarthy, who each claimed two wickets, the Australian side comfortably chased down the target with 40 balls to spare.
The circulating video has fueled discussions and speculation regarding internal issues within the Indian camp. The presence of assistant coaches Morne Morkel and Ryan ten Doeschate during the heated talk further suggests deep-seated frustration over the team’s tactical shortcomings and execution with the bat. While Gambhir clearly conveyed his dissatisfaction, Suryakumar Yadav was observed responding with composure.
As India now finds itself trailing 0-1, the pressure is mounting for a strong comeback in the crucial third T20I. Questions are being raised about the team’s middle-order stability and overall strategic approach, making the next match a must-win for the Indian side.