India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has reacted to the reports of dressing room leaked talks following Rohit Sharma's brigade's crushing 184-run defeat against Australia in the MCG Test. Gambhir, who appeared for the pre-match press conference, made it clear that everything is hunky dory in India's dressing room. However, he also said that any conversations in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room.
Gautam Gambhir on Indian dressing room leaks
"Everything is fine. Team first. It's a team game, and everyone understands this. Debates between a player and a coach should stay between them. Any conversations in the dressing room should stay in the dressing room," Gambhir said in the press conference on January 2.
Reports were doing round that there are evident tensions in the Indian dressing room and Gambhir during team assessment lambasted the entire India squad following Boxing Day Test hammering at MCG. It was also reported that Gambhir took an aim at the players who are underperforming in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy and indirectly warned them for not playing as per the match situations, rather prioritising their natural game. However, has now made it clear that everything is good in Indian dressing room.
Meanwhile, the former India captain was also asked about skipper Rohit Sharma's place in India's playing XI for the final Test on January 3. Gambhir chose to remain tightlipped on the simple question asked and said that the playing Xi will be decided on the match day itself after assessing the Sydney wicket.
"We are going to have a look at the wicket and announce the playing XI tomorrow," Gambhir added.
Meanwhile Australia have announced their playing XI for the final showdown in Sydney. Captain Pat Cummins has dropped Mitchell Marsh and has brought in Beau Webster as his replacement. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc, who was struggling with his back issues, has been declared fit for the fifth Test.
Australia's Playing XI for 5th Test against India
Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (captain), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland.