BCCI makes key decision on shared coaching after Gautam Gambhir’s Test failures for India
Former cricketers and pundits are questioning the role of Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir after the team’s 2-0 loss to South Africa in the two-match series. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided that Gambhir will remain as head coach, according to an ANI report.
India’s Test performances were disappointing during Gambhir’s tenure as head coach. India managed only a 2-2 draw in their five-match series in England. Earlier, the Men in Blue suffered a 0-3 loss at home to New Zealand last year and also failed to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Gautam Gambhir to remain India’s head coach in all three formats
India find themselves in a difficult situation in the ICC World Test Championship cycle. The BCCI is not planning any change in management. According to ANI, board officials have clarified that Gautam Gambhir will remain India’s head coach across all formats, with no discussions underway to replace him.
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“He will remain head coach in all three formats, no decision is being considered,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by ANI.
Frustration among fans grew after India’s record 408-run defeat against South Africa. Angry fans expressed their displeasure outside the Barsapara Stadium, chanting “Gautam Gambhir hay hay” against the head coach after the team’s collapse.
India slips into WTC after third house whitewash
India suffered their third whitewash at home in Test cricket. The first took place in 2000 against South Africa, and the second took place in 2024 when New Zealand beat India 3-0.
Gautam Gambhir faced heavy criticism during this period. Many fans feel that he relies too much on versatile players and ignores specialist players. Fans are also unhappy with the recent retirements of big names like Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.
The whitewash pushed India to fifth place in the current World Test Championship rankings. They have won only four of their nine matches and have a points percentage of 48.15.
India will not play any more Test cricket until next year’s tour of Sri Lanka. With nine more Tests to play in this cycle, including four away matches, Shubman Gill’s side have a tough road ahead if they hope to reach the WTC final.
India suffered biggest home defeat by runs in Test history
India suffered a heavy defeat in the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, losing by 408 runs on 27 November. She was also whitewashed 2-0 by the Proteas.
Chasing a target of 549, India started the final day with eight wickets in hand but could not put up any real fight. They were bowled out for just 140 in 63.5 overs. Notably, this was India’s biggest defeat in terms of runs in home Test history.
Indian batting struggled throughout the series. They failed to even reach 250 in any innings, and the South African attack, particularly Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer, dominated with the ball.
The teams will now meet in white-ball cricket, with a three-match ODI series beginning in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. After the ODIs, the teams will play a five-match T20I series.
Also read: Gautam Gambhir found unfit to be coach in Virat Kohli camp report, will BCCI take it into account?
