Gautam Gambhir has dismissed rumours about conspiracies in player selections, highlighting that transparency drives every discussion in the dressing room. Making strategic calls, even sidelining match-winners for the right combination, remains the trickiest part of his job, he told the BCCI.

He pointed out that benching players can be tough, as they naturally expect to feature in the playing XI. He highlights that open communication and honesty are crucial to keep morale high and the dressing room positive.

“Probably the hardest part of my job as a coach is this. I know there’s so much talent on the bench and that every player deserves a spot in the XI, but at the end of the day, you can only pick eleven based on the combination that works best for that match. For me, what matters most is having open conversations and clear communication,” Gambhir told BCCI.

“The communication has to be clear and honest. Of course, these conversations can be tough. Telling a player they aren’t in the XI is never easy, especially when they feel they deserve a spot. But if you are sincere, straightforward, and speak from the heart, that’s all a coach can do,” he added.

Gambhir emphasised the importance of private, honest communication between players and the coach, praising the team and support staff for maintaining transparency in the dressing room and handling matters professionally.

“Some players recognise that these talks are private between the coach and the individual, and they shouldn’t be blown out of proportion or turned into theories. The team and support staff have handled this perfectly. Our dressing room has been very transparent, and that’s the environment I want to maintain,” Gambhir concluded.