Written By: Ankit Kumar | Updated: Oct 30, 2025, 4:29 PM
1/7
IANS
Dhoni and Gambhir have had old differences. This is the reason why Dhoni does not want his responsibilities to overlap with Gambhir's role. At present, he is more focused on the next season of Chennai Super Kings.
2/7
The biggest controversy between a captain and a coach in Indian cricket was between Sourav Ganguly and Greg Chappell. After Chappell became coach in 2005, the two developed deep disagreements over team decisions. Ganguly, who had himself recommended Chappell as coach, soon became the target of his own criticism. The situation escalated to the point where Ganguly was not only removed from the captaincy but also dropped from the team. Rahul Dravid then became captain, but India's performance in the 2007 World Cup was disastrous.An opener of a more aggressive ilk the hits and misses at the top often meant either soaring tall or an abrupt departure.
3/7
X
In 2016, when Anil Kumble became coach and Virat Kohli was captain, differences began to grow between the two despite the team's success. Kumble emphasized team discipline, while Kohli favored "aggressive freedom." Eventually, their disagreements escalated to the point where Kumble was forced to resign. This is known as Indian cricket's quietest yet deepest "cold war."
4/7
IANS
After Gautam Gambhir became coach, media reports began to surface of tensions between him and Rohit Sharma. Both are known for their stubborn and aggressive personalities. Although no one spoke openly, fans suspected a rift between the two after the decision to remove Rohit from captaincy.
5/7
X
Former captain and coach Bishan Singh Bedi was known for his sharp remarks. After the 1990 loss to Australia, he told the media – “This team should be thrown into the Pacific Ocean.” His comment angered captain Mohammad Azharuddin and the players. The team protested against him in unison, leading to Bedi's tenure ending shortly thereafter.
6/7
X
Madan Lal, who became coach in 1996-97, publicly questioned the performance of some senior players during the Sri Lanka tour. His criticism of the players by name in the media angered the team. The players stopped talking to the coach, and the atmosphere became so strained that the BCCI had to remove him.
7/7
X
Sandeep Patil, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, also faced player dissatisfaction during his tenure as coach. He faced criticism for his failure to resolve the dispute between Sidhu and Azhar during the England tour. Later, Patil's public outburst over Anil Kumble's dismissal during a match in Sri Lanka angered several senior players, including captain Sachin Tendulkar. This ultimately ended his coaching tenure.
7
8
7
7
8
6
8
8
8
11
7
10
7
6
7
8
7
11
13
7
8
9
10
English
