Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to sack India's bowling coach Morne Morkel and assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate after the Asia Cup 2025 in September this year. The future of both coaches is under the scanner amid India's ordinary show in Test cricket under Gambhir and his support staff.
India pulled off a spirited draw in the 4th Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester on Sunday to avoid a defeat in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 and keep their chances of levelling the series alive in the 5th and final Test at the Kennington Oval in London. However, the draw meant India have won only 2 of their 12 Test matches under Gambhir so far.
As per a report in The Telegraph UK, BCCI is 'hell-bent' on letting go of both Morkel and Ten Doeschate after the Asia Cup 2025 and before the start of India's next Test series against West Indies in October this year. The report added that BCCI's decision wouldn't be affected by India's results in the 4th and 5th Test against England.
Gambhir had asked for both Morkel and Ten Doeschate to be added to his support staff after he took over as India's head coach from Rahul Dravid last year. Former Mumbai batter Abhishek Nayar was also part of Gambhir's coaching staff. Gambhir worked with Morkel during his time with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL, while Nayar and Ten Doeschate worked with the India head coach at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Nayar, who was designated as assistant coach, was sacked by the BCCI following India's 3-1 defeat against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat marked India's second successive Test series defeat after they suffered a humiliating 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand at home, marking an end to their dominance in the whites at home.
As per the report in The Telegraph, BCCI is not convinced with the work done by bowling coach Morkel. The Indian cricket board believes the former South Africa pacer hasn't helped in improving any bowler in the current team. The BCCI is also scrutinising the 'exact function' of assistant coach Doeschate.
Before the conclusion of the Manchester Test on Sunday, India had managed only 4 wins in 13 Tests under Gambhir and his current coaching staff. However, the BCCI has no plans of letting go of Gambhir. The board wants to give the current head coach time, with the team undergoing trasition in Tests after the retirements of seniors like Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Rohit Sharma.
As per the report, the decision makers were also not happy with some of the decisions taken by the current team management regarding the team selection in the ongoing Test series against England. The absence of Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI for the 4th Test particularly led to a 'difference of opinion' among the decision makers as the Indian team management preffered all-rounders for extra battin depth.
