IND vs NZ: Gautam Gambhir went against India players for Spin-friendly track in Mumbai

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Is Gautam Gambhir already sitting on an opposite pole with some of the Indian players? The question has already started to arise amid India's series defeat against New Zealand.

India's strategy to play on a spin-friendly pitch in Mumbai backfired big time as they lost, the third Test in a row on home soil. After a dismal outing in Pune, team India's continued strategy to play on a spinning deck has now been raising questions.

As per a report from CricBlogger, the India head coach Gautam Gambhir has already ruffled some feathers with his decisions.

Sources informed CricBlogger that coach Gautam Gambhir influenced the decision for a spin-favourable surface, although Indian players preferred a more balanced track for the third Test against New Zealand.

"There is a massive difference of opinion happening within the team right now and the results are showing. Gambhir was behind the spin-friendly pitch," a source revealed to CricBlogger after India's significant defeat to New Zealand.

Previously, captain Rohit Sharma had chosen a less bouncy pitch in Pune following challenges faced in Bengaluru, where excessive bounce troubled Indian batters. The aim was to create conditions that suited their style and avoid repeating past mistakes. However, the uneven nature of the pitch ultimately favoured New Zealand, leading them to secure their first Test series victory in India. This decision mirrored India's past successful strategies against England but overlooked recent batting struggles.

Rohit's previous request for a turning track against Australia last year serves as a cautionary tale. Despite holding a 2-0 lead, India lost the third Test in Indore due to extreme conditions that didn't favour their preparation.

A shift towards balanced pitches could be beneficial, encouraging competitive play and reducing reliance on specific conditions.

Gautam Gambhir's stint with the Indian team hasn't been flawless so far. After an ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka, the New Zealand whitewash has raised further questions about his stewardship. Rohit Sharma and his team will take the litmus test in Australia. If the Indian team fail down under, it will be catastrophic. Gautam Gambhir's 'a happy team is a winning team' is in doubt at the moment, and amid the growing cacophony, a prompt resolution is required.