Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach of Team India has been far from smooth, with his leadership facing growing scrutiny following a series of disappointing results. Gambhir, who made the leap into coaching after guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title, has encountered multiple setbacks, including an ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka and a home clean sweep by New Zealand in the Test format.
As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) closely examines the team’s recent performances, Gambhir finds himself under increasing pressure ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. This series has taken on greater significance, with many describing it as a defining moment for Gambhir’s tenure as India’s Test coach.
Reports suggest that a poor showing in the series against Australia could jeopardize Gambhir’s future in the role. While the BCCI is reportedly considering keeping him on as coach for limited-overs formats, a lackluster performance in the Test series could lead to significant changes in the coaching setup. According to Dainik Jagran, if India struggles in Australia, the BCCI may opt for a specialist coach like VVS Laxman to take over Test duties, while Gambhir would continue to oversee the limited-overs teams.
Whether Gambhir would accept such a shift remains uncertain, but the prospect of a reshuffle could put him in a difficult position. If the Border-Gavaskar Trophy turns out to be a hard-fought series, the BCCI will likely face a tough decision regarding his future.
In preparation for the high-stakes series, Gambhir recently spent six hours in discussions with BCCI selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar and India’s captain, Rohit Sharma. The primary focus of the meeting was to analyze the reasons behind India’s 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand at home and explore possible solutions.
However, reports also point to mounting tensions between Gambhir and the team’s think tank, particularly regarding team selection. These differences could further complicate India’s preparations for the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, making the upcoming weeks even more pivotal for both Gambhir and the team.
