Indian men’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has opened up about one of the toughest aspects of his job: telling players like Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav that they won’t be part of the playing XI. For Gambhir, who has always valued honesty and clarity in leadership, these conversations are never easy. He stresses that communication must be direct, respectful, and kept strictly between him and the player.

Gambhir’s coaching style has leaned heavily toward building teams packed with multi-skilled cricketers. His preference for all-rounders has shaped several selection calls across formats. As a result, youngsters like Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy have received strong backing and consistent opportunities.

But this shift has also meant fewer chances for specialists such as Arshdeep, India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is in recent years, and Kuldeep, widely regarded as India’s most skilled white-ball spinner. Speaking in a candid interview with the BCCI, Gambhir admitted that it can be emotionally draining to leave out high-quality players who fully deserve a spot.

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“That’s probably the toughest part for me as a coach,” he said. “You know everyone sitting on the bench has the ability to make the XI, but you still have to pick the combination you believe can win on that particular day.”

He explained that transparency is the only way forward during tough calls. “Sometimes these are hard conversations. When you tell someone he’s not playing, it hurts the player. And as a coach, it hurts you too, because you know how much work he has put in,” Gambhir shared.

The selection debate has sparked criticism from some corners, including former players who have accused Gambhir of favouritism, especially regarding Harshit Rana’s rapid rise. But Gambhir dismissed such conversations, saying they often come from outside the dressing room, far away from the actual truth.

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He emphasised that as long as communication remains honest and rooted in cricketing logic, players understand the reasoning. “If you’re straightforward and speak from the heart, most players accept it. These things should remain between a coach and a player, without outsiders building unnecessary theories,” he said.

Gambhir concluded by praising the current team environment, describing it as “transparent, honest, and aligned,” something he believes is essential for long-term success.