Gautam Gambhir reprimanded assistant coach Morne Morkel publicly for Disciplinary Reason

Gautam Gambhir's strict guidelines for discipline is not bound to just the players, but for himself and his own support staff as well.

A report has emerged which states how Gautam Gambhir imposed the disciplinary regime in the team, and non-adherence to that even resulted in an open admonition for bowling coach Morne Morkel.

Reports suggest that Gautam Gambhir, known for his no-nonsense approach, publicly reprimanded assistant coach Morne Morkel for arriving late to a practice session during the Australia tour. Morkel, who was reportedly late due to a prior personal meeting, was confronted by Gambhir in front of the team.

"Gambhir is very strict about discipline. He reprimanded Morkel immediately at the ground. The board has been told that Morkel was a bit reserved during the rest of the tour. It is up to these two to sort it out to allow the team to function smoothly," a BCCI source told TOI.

While Gambhir's focus on discipline is well-known, the incident raises questions about the balance between enforcing standards and maintaining team morale, especially during high-pressure tours.

The loss to Australia has also sparked an evaluation of the team's support staff, with batting coach Abhishek Nayar and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate reportedly under the BCCI's scanner. The board is said to be reassessing whether the current coaching lineup is contributing effectively to the team's performance.

"Batting coach Abhishek Nayar is particularly under the scanner. Gambhir himself has been an accomplished batter. The board has asked the players if Nayar is bringing anything new to the table. Similarly, Doeschate's role is being discussed. His lack of international experience and ability to contribute to enhancing an international cricketer's performance is being questioned," the source added.

With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 looming, the Indian team faces significant challenges both on and off the field. Gambhir's hardline approach to discipline and the scrutiny of the coaching staff highlight the broader issue of fostering a high-performance environment without disrupting harmony.

Will Morne Morkel continue as India bowling coach?

Morne Morkel and Gautam Gambhir have known each other for a long time. It is likely that the duo will have sorted things out between them and gear up for the upcoming Champions Trophy, which shall be the determining factor for Gambhir and his coaching staff's future.