Watch: 'Gautam Gambhir should also resign along with Dharmendra Pradhan...': Protesters demand India coach's removal at CJP protest in Delhi

The slogan "Gautam Gambhir should also resign along with Dharmendra Pradhan" was heard during a CJP protest in Delhi on Friday. Students and protesters were demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG paper leak case. A viral video from the protest also showed some people calling for the removal of Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir.

The protest was mainly about the NEET-UG issue, but the slogans about Gambhir quickly caught the attention of cricket fans on social media. Many fans have been unhappy with Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar over Team India's selection decisions. Several supporters believe senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not been treated fairly, while others are unhappy with the team's recent performances.

The video has now gone viral across social media, with fans sharing different opinions on the slogans and the current Team India management. While the protest was not directly related to Indian cricket, the chants have sparked fresh debate about Gambhir and Agarkar's future. 

Watch the viral video here:

Why protesters raised 'Gautam Gambhir resign' slogans at the CJP protest in Delhi

As protests continue across the country and the Indian government has agreed to hold talks with the protesters, Indian cricket fans have also renewed their demand for the removal of Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar from Team India's management.

The campaign has been growing on social media, with many fans expressing their frustration over the two former Indian cricketers. Supporters have criticised Gambhir and Agarkar for their treatment of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. India's disappointing performances in several bilateral series, both at home and away, have also added to the criticism, leading many fans to call for a change.

See also -'Solution patience se nikalta hai': Shikhar Dhawan breaks silence on students amid CJP protests in Delhi

Although the online campaign is widely seen as a sarcastic expression of fan frustration rather than a formal demand, it reflects the growing scrutiny of Team India's coaching staff and selectors. So far, neither Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar, nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has responded to the social media trend.

Notably, Gautam Gambhir was a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from East Delhi before stepping down from politics to become Team India's head coach in 2024. His previous political career has also been mentioned by some social media users while reacting to the viral protest video. However, there is no evidence linking him to the student protests.

Why fans are furious over Gambhir & Agarkar's treatment of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

The debate over Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar's handling of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli grew stronger after reports claimed that Rohit could play his final ODI for India during the third match against England at Lord's. The reports suggested that the selectors were already planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup without him. However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia later dismissed those claims. Even so, uncertainty over the future of India's senior stars has continued to fuel discussions among fans.

As India prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, many fans are asking whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will remain part of the team's plans. The discussion became even bigger during the recently concluded ODI series against England, with many supporters questioning the future of the two batting legends.

See also -Rohit Sharma to play his last ODI at Lord's? Retirement chatter grows after another failure vs England

Despite the rumours, both Rohit and Virat performed well against England. Kohli scored 144 runs in three innings at an average of 48.00, including knocks of 65 and 74 after making just five runs in the first ODI. Rohit also silenced his critics with a brilliant 138 off 110 balls in the final ODI. He finished the three-match series with 175 runs at an average of 58.33, showing that both veterans still have plenty to offer Team India.

Fan reactions, social media erupts and what happens next for Gautam Gambhir

The viral protest video quickly spread across social media, with many cricket fans sharing their opinions on Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar. While some users supported the slogans, others said the protest should not be linked to Indian cricket. The video has sparked fresh debate over Team India's management and selection decisions. Here is how the netizens reacted: 

Several well-known names from Indian cricket, including Shubman Gill, Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh and Sanjay Manjrekar, have also spoken about the student protests. Their comments have added to the public discussion, as current and former cricketers joined the conversation on an issue beyond the sport.

For now, neither Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar nor the BCCI has responded to the viral slogans or the social media campaign. However, the discussion continues to grow online, and fans will be watching closely to see whether Team India's management addresses the criticism in the coming weeks.