India faced a significant defeat in Australia during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, suffering a 1-3 loss. Aside from Jasprit Bumrah's outstanding performance that earned him the Man of the Series title and Nitish Kumar Reddy's sporadic brilliance, the team's batting inadequacies were heavily criticized. Numerous former players pointed fingers at senior members of the squad, particularly Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, for their lacklustre batting displays.

Rohit was absent for the first Test in Perth due to paternity leave, with Bumrah stepping in as the interim captain. However, upon Rohit's return, the team's performance deteriorated under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir. Additionally, Rohit chose to sit out the final Test due to his poor form, leading to various reports regarding his relationship with head coach Gambhir.

Some sources have suggested that their relationship is strained, with speculation that Gambhir may consider dropping the Indian captain. Conversely, others believe that Rohit wields more influence than Gambhir and is unlikely to be removed from his position. Following Rohit's absence from the final Test lineup, discontent arose among fans and former players regarding Gambhir's decisions, with many feeling that the captain was not being treated with the respect he deserves.

Gautam Gambhir-Greg Chappell comparison

In response to the ongoing debate, Robin Uthappa, a former teammate of Rohit and ex-India cricketer, was interviewed by Lallantop regarding whether Gambhir's coaching approach resembled that of Australian legend Greg Chappell, who had a notable conflict with Sourav Ganguly during his coaching period.

Uthappa defended Gambhir by stating, “I must disagree with the notion that his style mirrors that of Greg Chappell. I do not concur with that perspective at all. I have never encountered a more candid individual than Gauti. He is exceptionally forthright. While you may not always appreciate his comments, he will express them directly to you, and I have a great admiration for such individuals. In my view, those who are straightforward lead fulfilling lives. They articulate their thoughts openly, which is sufficient. What you see is what you get, and that is preferable to someone who behaves differently behind your back. I value directness, and Gauti exemplifies that quality.”

Analyzing Gambhir’s current role, Uthappa noted that the 2011 World Cup winner faces a challenging task in managing various captains and teams, each with distinct personalities. “He enjoys steering the ship, and currently, following the World Cup and his integration into the team, he is navigating a group with three different leaders. You have SKY, Rohit, and in the ODI format, it is Hardik, correct? It remains Rohit, my apologies. He must adapt to these varying styles at present, particularly in T20Is where he has full control. He is guiding the team and developing SKY as a leader, which allows for a degree of freedom,” he explained.

Uthappa also highlighted Gambhir's support for Rohit, stating, “At this juncture, they are likely working on establishing their dynamic. It has not yet been fully defined; perhaps with Bumrah, who was leading his first Test, the chemistry was more apparent. Some relationships develop quickly, while others require time. It is not that the chemistry is absent; it exists, as evidenced by Gambhir’s interviews. He holds a great deal of respect and admiration for Rohit. Sometimes, relationships take time to flourish, especially since both are leaders in their own right.”

Rohit, already 37 years old, could only manage 31 runs in three Tests in Australia. On Day 2 of the final Test, he clarified that his absence from the playing XI was his own decision due to his form.

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