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New Delhi: Gautam Gambhir has faced massive criticism for Team India's poor results in Test cricket. Under his leadership, the Men in Blue have lost 10 Test matches against SENA countries. His record as white-ball coach has been brilliant, leading India to Champions Trophy and Asia Cup victories, but the team's performance in the longest format has been below par.
According to a PTI report, after India's whitewash in the two-match home Test series against South Africa, the BCCI informally approached VVS Laxman to check if the former cricketer would be interested in coaching the Test team. However, Laxman refused to take the role as the legendary batter is happy being the 'Head of Cricket' at BCCI's CoE in Bengaluru.
Gautam Gambhir's BCCI contract runs until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup, but according to a PTI report, it could be revisited, depending upon India's performance in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will begin on February 7.
The BCCI is still mulling over Gambhir's role as red-ball coach for the remaining nine Test matches of the WTC 2025-27 cycle. After drawing a five-match Test series against England, the Men in Blue have two overseas assignments remaining, which include two Test matches against Sri Lanka and a tour of New Zealand in October 2026. Team India will also host Australia for a five-match Test series in January-February 2027.
"Gambhir does have a strong backing within the power corridors of Indian cricket and obviously, if India retain the T20 World Cup or at least reach the final, he would be seamlessly continuing with his assignment. However, it would be interesting if Gambhir continues in Tests too," a BCCI source told PTI on condition of anonymity.
The source further added that there are not many alternative options in the red ball format to replace Gambhir since VVS Laxman isn't interested in coaching the senior team. According to the same report, there is a lot of confusion in the Indian dressing room, and a lot of players are not feeling secure in Gambhir's reign, something which they used to feel in Rahul Dravid's era.
Shubman Gill's exclusion from the 2026 T20 World Cup squad also had Gambhir's footprints written all over it, which made a lot of players believe that if India's Test and ODI captain could be sidelined, the next omission number could have anyone's name written on it.
The BCCI always takes time before making big decisions, and looking at the next year's calendar, the officials will get two months after the T20 World Cup to decide Gambhir's future.
