Does Coach Gautam Gambhir Really Have a Problem with Rishabh Pant? Or Are We Just Reading Too Much Into It?

After India’s recent loss in the Leeds Test, headlines turned from scorecards to soundbites. The focus wasn’t just on the game, or even the five centuries scored—it was on coach Gautam Gambhir’s reaction in a press conference, and whether it hinted at something deeper. Something personal. “Does Gambhir have a problem with Rishabh Pant?” became the trending question.

At first glance, the evidence seemed compelling: a reporter asked Gambhir about Pant’s twin centuries, and the coach immediately interrupted to reel off other individual performances. His tone seemed curt, his manner dismissive. Social media, ever eager to fan the flames of cricketing drama, quickly drew battle lines. But step back, take a breath, and ask: was that really shade—or just classic Gambhir?

The Leeds Moment: Context or Contempt?

Let’s rewind to the press conference. The journalist’s question was straightforward: “Rishabh Pant, two centuries… how was it to witness that knock, and his leadership?” Before the question even ended, Gambhir interjected.

“There are three more centuries as well,” he said. “Those are big positives too. Thank you. So I would have liked it if you would have said that hundred from Yashasvi, hundred from Shubman on debut as captain, hundred from KL and two centuries from Rishabh.”

On paper, that’s fair—a coach redirecting focus to team achievements rather than spotlighting one player. But delivery is everything, and Gambhir’s tone has never been sugar-coated. Bluntness is his signature, and he wears it proudly.

For those who follow him closely, this wasn’t a deviation. This was vintage Gambhir—the same person who famously shrugged off praise for MS Dhoni’s 2011 World Cup-winning six by pointing out the team effort that preceded it. To Gambhir, cricket is not a stage for solo acts, and he’s consistent in voicing that.

The Rashford Episode: Clues in the Past

This isn’t the first time Gambhir’s no-nonsense persona has sparked misunderstandings. In a now-viral ‘this or that’ session, when asked “Messi or Ronaldo?” he chose neither. “Rashford,” he said flatly.

People laughed, memes exploded. But later, Gambhir clarified: the question was flawed. “If you ask for my favourite team, give me more than two choices,” he said. His issue wasn’t with Messi or Ronaldo—it was with binary thinking.

That same contrarian clarity surfaced in Leeds. It wasn’t Pant he snubbed—it was the idea that one player could be singled out when five had scored centuries in a losing cause.

A History Together: Pant Under Gambhir’s Watch

The theory of a Pant-Gambhir rift starts to crumble when you consider their actual history.

In 2015, Rishabh Pant was drafted into the Delhi Ranji squad. Gambhir, then captain, was involved in selection conversations. While an anecdote from Ajay Jadeja recently resurfaced—describing how Pant was left out initially—the larger point was Pant’s confidence, not conflict. “When they need me, they’ll call me from home,” Pant had said, a quiet testament to his belief.

Eventually, Pant debuted under Gambhir’s leadership. A few seasons later, in IPL 2018, he scored a staggering 684 runs for Delhi Daredevils—again under Gambhir’s captaincy.

During India’s famous 2020–21 tour of Australia, where Pant played two iconic match-saving knocks in Sydney and Brisbane, Gambhir was one of his earliest and most vocal supporters in the commentary box. “He backs himself,” Gambhir had said. “You need that kind of attitude to win overseas.”

The Vice-Captaincy Decision

If Gambhir truly had an issue with Pant, it would be odd for Pant to be promoted to vice-captain under his watch.

After Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepped away from Test cricket, the team entered a transition phase. Shubman Gill was elevated to captain, and selectors, along with Gambhir’s support, chose Pant as his deputy. In the high-stakes world of Indian cricket, vice-captaincy isn’t handed out lightly. It’s a clear sign of trust.

Why Then the Backlash?

Part of the problem is Gambhir’s communication style. He’s no Dravid—there are no soft tones, layered metaphors, or charming deflections. Gambhir speaks like he played: directly, with intent, and zero frills. It’s the kind of candour that leaves little space for ambiguity but plenty of room for misinterpretation.

In a social media age where nuance often loses to noise, that’s a risky proposition.

A coach brushing off a journalist’s praise for a player isn’t rare. But when it’s Gambhir, every word gets dissected, meme’d, and projected into a narrative. Add to that Pant’s past exclusions from white-ball formats, and conspiracy theorists had all they needed.

The Bigger Picture: Team Over Tension

India’s red-ball squad is navigating a tricky chapter. The team has won just three of their last 11 Tests. Veterans have retired. Younger players are stepping up. Leadership is shifting. And Gambhir, fresh into his head coach tenure, is trying to set the tone.

His consistent message? Team first. Performances are celebrated, yes—but only in the context of results.

In that Leeds Test, India lost. No number of individual milestones can change that. For Gambhir, to dwell only on Pant’s two centuries would’ve meant ignoring the broader, harsher reality.

Cricket Twitter’s Obsession with Feuds

Indian cricket’s passionate fanbase thrives on drama. If there’s no feud, one will be invented. Remember “Kohli vs Rohit”? “Dravid vs Ganguly”? Every era finds its flashpoint.

Today, with Pant regaining form post-injury and Gambhir stepping into the most scrutinised coaching role in the game, any moment—any clipped sentence—can go viral.

But not every rough answer signals a rift. Not every disagreement is a fallout.

So… Does Gambhir Have a Problem with Pant?

Let’s stick to facts.

• Pant is vice-captain under Gambhir.
• Gambhir has backed Pant multiple times—on field and in commentary.
• Their shared history is marked more by growth than friction.
• The coach’s Leeds comments, while sharp, were consistent with his long-held beliefs about team-first values.

Could Gambhir have answered the question with more warmth? Possibly. Could he have acknowledged Pant and then mentioned the others? Sure. But knowing Gambhir, that’s not his style. He doesn’t play to optics. He plays straight.

And perhaps that’s exactly what India’s new-look Test side needs—less theatre, more grit.

Because the real story isn’t about soundbites. It’s about Birmingham, where India must bounce back. Pant will likely be behind the stumps. Gambhir will be in the dressing room. And cricket—not Twitter—is where this narrative should unfold.

IT.