The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly denied reports suggesting that Gautam Gambhir’s position as India’s head coach in the Test format is under threat following the team’s recent setbacks at home.
Speculation around Gambhir’s future gathered pace after media reports claimed that former India batter VVS Laxman had been informally approached to take over as India’s next Test coach. The reports surfaced in the wake of India’s 0-2 Test series whitewash against South Africa at home, adding to scrutiny on the current coaching setup.
‘No plan to remove Gambhir’: BCCI
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla categorically rejected the reports, stating that the board has no intention of making any changes to the head coach’s role in the longest format of the game.
“I want to make it very clear regarding the speculation circulating in the media about head coach Gautam Gambhir. The BCCI secretary has also made it very clear that there is no plan to remove Gambhir or bring in a new head coach for India,” Shukla told ANI.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also dismissed the reports, calling them “factually incorrect and baseless”. He said the board has not taken any steps to alter the leadership group of the Test team and described the speculation as “someone’s figment of imagination”.
Test setbacks and focus shifts to T20 World Cup
India’s recent home Test struggles have been unprecedented. The whitewash against South Africa followed a 0-3 loss to New Zealand last year, results that cost India a place in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final. The latest defeat has further dented India’s chances of making the title clash, depending on how other results unfold.
For now, however, the BCCI’s immediate focus has shifted away from Test cricket. India are preparing to defend their T20 World Cup title, which they won under Rohit Sharma last year. The upcoming edition, beginning on February 7, will see a new-look Indian side led by Suryakumar Yadav.
India will open their campaign against the USA in Mumbai and are grouped alongside Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA. The tournament will also mark India’s first T20 World Cup in several years without stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, adding another layer of intrigue as the young squad takes centre stage at home.
