Will The Cricketing Sources Please Keep Shut?

Bhargav Dixit

A new set of reports has rattled Indian cricket. [Source: @HashTagCricket/X]A new set of reports has rattled Indian cricket. [Source: @HashTagCricket/X]

For the sake of a healthy environment inside the Indian cricket team’s dressing room, cricketing sources need to keep shut. There is no hiding from the fact that these alleged carriers of inside information are causing more harm than good to the team. They, however, are being of great service to media outlets in the day and age of clickbait journalism.

Just when you thought that bothersome reports with regard to Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 have come to an end, latest reports claim that India batter Sarfaraz Khan used to leak dressing room information to the media in Australia.

As per News24, no one but head coach Gautam Gambhir himself pointed fingers at the 27-year-old player during the recently concluded review meeting organised by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India).

As is the nature of all such reports, they are usually followed by a disclaimer. This one, in particular, mentions that Gambhir has no proof per se against the right-handed batter. It’s like accusing person A of doing something against person B before highlighting how there’s no proof whatsoever to prove the accusation.

Sarfaraz Khan And Gautam Gambhir’s Reputation At Stake

Having played all of six Tests thus far, Sarfaraz is still at a nascent stage of his international career. With sky being the limit for a consistent domestic performer such as him, such charges have it in them to directly hit his reputation.

Sarfaraz, who didn’t play a single Test during his maiden tour of Australia, witnessed the likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Dhrul Jurel getting opportunities ahead of him. Expected to play a key role during India’s tour of England 2025, making him eat crow would surely dent his confidence.

Gambhir, on the other hand, doesn’t have to prove anything to the world as far as his achievements are concerned. That being said, his coaching tenure has seen India lose in shambolic fashion both at home and outside. With critics pinning the blame on him and rightly so, even he wouldn’t gain anything from such reports amid severe criticism.

Indian Cricket At Maximum Loss

Most importantly, Indian cricket stands to lose the most when such unverified news is perceived as reality among fans. Knowing how a regular fan wouldn’t make an effort to demonstrate the truth of such a claim, it will be remembered as nothing but the truth by the majority.

Even if it is entirely wrong, there’s no guarantee that it wouldn’t affect the morale of the concerned individuals or the professional equation between them.

Primarily because of impending retirements and poor form ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, what Indian cricket is going through is called tough times. Such concerning updates have it in it to spoil the unity among players. With on-field performances already a cause of worry, additional worries won’t do good to the team.