After India’s unexpected 0-3 loss to New Zealand, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) held an in-depth review to analyse the series whitewash and discuss some critical decisions that have raised eyebrows. The meeting reportedly lasted around six hours and was attended by Indian captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir (who joined online), chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, and president Roger Binny. The discussions centeres on everything from team selections to coaching style, as the BCCI looks to bounce back ahead of India’s tour.
Selection of rank turner
One of the most debated topics in the meeting was the selection of a rank turner for the third Test in Mumbai, especially after India had struggled on a similar pitch in Pune. There were also questions raised about the decision to rest pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the third Test, despite him being a key player and vice-captain. According to sources, BCCI wanted to understand the rationale behind this precautionary move and why the team had opted for a spin-friendly surface again.
Gautam Gambhir’s coaching style
In addition to this, the meeting also delved into the coaching style of Gambhir, which some have said is noticeably different from his predecessor, Rahul Dravid. The coaching shift has left some members of the team think tank uncertain about the new approach, and there were discussions about how the players are adjusting to it.
Identifying corrective measures
A BCCI source familiar with the meeting noted that the primary goal was to identify corrective measures. With the team set to travel to Australia soon, the BCCI wants to ensure that the right steps are taken to get the team back on track. It is also reported that the team’s preparations for Australia were also the center point of discussion in the meeting. “Everyone wants to know how the coaching team, led by Gambhir, plans to address the issues and improve performance,” the source said.
Selection of Players
The review also touched on the controversial selection of players like T20 specialist Nitish Reddy and rookie pacer Harshit Rana, both of whom have limited experience in domestic cricket, with just 10 matches in the Ranji Trophy. The selections have not been met with unanimous approval within the team management.
With the focus now shifting to the Australia tour, India’s squad will depart in two batches on November 10 and 11, as the BCCI aims to regroup and refocus ahead of a challenging series Down Under.