According to a report in Cricblogger, former India captain Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket may be influenced by the developments inside the Indian dressing room. The report claims that the uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s position in the team and the changing power dynamics under head coach Gautam Gambhir have created an uneasy atmosphere within the team.
It also alleged that the alleged differences between Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir have created widespread insecurity among the players. However, neither Virat Kohli, Rohit, Gambhir nor the BCCI have publicly commented on these claims.
Did Rohit Sharma’s treatment affect Virat Kohli’s Test retirement?
According to a Cricblogger report, one of the factors that influenced Virat Kohli’s Test retirement in May 2025 was the way Rohit Sharma was handled during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Virat Kohli was reportedly worried after seeing India’s then Test captain Rohit Sharma out of the playing eleven for the Sydney Test. Sources suggested that the incident raised questions in Kohli’s mind as to how safe senior players were under the new leadership structure.
According to reports, despite India winning the Champions Trophy at the beginning of the year, Virat Kohli is reportedly unsure of his long-term place in the Test team after watching the developments involving Rohit Sharma.
The report further claims that a player of Virat Kohli’s stature would not like to see himself in a situation where his future depends on a sudden selection call after years of service to Indian cricket.
Why are Team India players uncertain under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir?
The report also paints a picture of growing uncertainty within the Indian dressing room. The report quoted sources as saying that only Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi currently feel secure about their place in the team, while most of the other players are unsure about their status.
Gautam Gambhir’s credibility inside the dressing room has weakened after several controversial selection decisions involving senior players. This uncertainty has created an uneasy environment, with players becoming unsure of their roles and future opportunities.
According to the report, the environment has become more challenging as selection decisions are believed to be changing rapidly, leaving players unsure of what is expected of them.
How Gautam Gambhir took complete command of Team India
According to reports, Rohit Sharma initially gave a lot of freedom to Gautam Gambhir after his appointment as India’s head coach.
Unlike Rahul Dravid, who largely allowed the captain to handle cricketing matters on the field, Gautam Gambhir is said to have gradually become more involved in decision-making as India’s results declined.
The report claims that India’s defeat in the two home Test matches against New Zealand proved to be a turning point and before the third Test of that series, Gautam Gambhir effectively gained complete control over cricketing decisions, after which his influence continued to grow.
Many of the major decisions that followed, including the discussion about Jasprit Bumrah’s captaincy during the Australia tour, Rohit’s omission from the Sydney Test and the subsequent leadership change, were all under Gambhir’s leadership.
Why does Rohit Sharma-Gautam Gambhir controversy affect the dressing room?
The alleged differences between Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir eventually went beyond just the two individuals.
The relationship between the captain and the head coach deteriorated after Gautam Gambhir gained more influence in the team. This alleged face-off created a feeling of instability inside the dressing room and sources described it as a “toxic” environment.
It is also claimed that Rohit Sharma’s uncertainty over his status has affected the wider team, with players reportedly unsure about how selection decisions will be made in the future.
The report further argues that if Rohit Sharma is ultimately dropped from India’s ODI plans, the situation could become even more serious as the former captain may choose not to remain silent and publicly challenge the narrative surrounding his exit, potentially leading to additional scrutiny on Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach.