Gautam Gambhir, India’s current head coach across formats, might lose his role as Test head coach if India underperforms in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia. A report by Abhishek Tripathi for Dainik Jagran suggests the BCCI is considering changes in the red-ball coaching setup, with VVS Laxman, presently coaching the T20I team in South Africa, as a potential replacement for Gambhir in Tests.
India’s recent performances have drawn scrutiny, particularly after suffering a historic series loss to New Zealand at home, their first in 12 years. The team’s strategy of relying on rank-turners backfired, leading to widespread criticism. There were also reports of friction between Gambhir and Indian captain Rohit Sharma. Key BCCI stakeholders reportedly held a six-hour meeting to address these issues.
Since taking over as head coach during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in July, Gambhir’s tenure has been mixed. Although India showed strength in T20Is, they faced whitewashes in ODI and Test series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. While Gambhir had an impressive coaching record with KKR, India’s red-ball struggles have raised questions about his role.
Should India manage a strong showing in the BGT, whether by winning, drawing, or even narrowly losing, Gambhir could retain his Test coaching position. However, if the series results fall short, BCCI may implement changes, and VVS Laxman could potentially take over. It’s unclear if Gambhir would accept a limited role as a white-ball coach, or if Laxman is available for a full-time commitment. With various factors at play, the coming months will likely determine the future of India’s Test coaching setup.
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