Team India Pre-departure Press Conference Highlights: Gambhir has 'no concerns over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form'

Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis have been handed maiden Test call-ups for the first Test vs India that starts on 22 November in Perth. McSweeney is confirmed as opener alongside Usman Khawaja by chairman of selectors George Bailey.

Australia squad for first Test vs India: Pat Cummins (C), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

“I feel it is an absolute rumour. This news seems absolutely baseless… I see this rumour being floated around with malicious intent. Gambhir has just been made the head coach. It does not happen like this that if players are not performing, fire the coach,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

But Chopra added that Gambhir has been given a lot of support from BCCI and he will need to take responsibility for the results.

“Whatever Gautam asked for, the BCCI gave him. Publicly, Gautam had said in the past that Team India should have Indian coaches, but when he asked for Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel, the board agreed,” Chopra said.

As per sources the meeting lasted for six hours and topics like Jasprit Bumrah being rested in third Test at Mumbai and opting for a rank turned at Wankhede Stadium were discussed.

“It was a six-hour marathon meeting, which was obviously on cards after such a debacle. India are going on a tour of Australia, and the BCCI would obviously like to ensure that the team is back on track and would like to know how the think-tank (Gambhir-Rohit-Agarkar) are going about it,” a senior BCCI source said.

“Bumrah’s absence was discussed, although it was a precautionary move. Opting for a rank turner despite India not faring well on these tracks are some of the issues that came up for discussion,” the source added.