Gautam Gambhir’s position as India’s head coach has entered a delicate and increasingly scrutinised phase after the 0-2 Test series whitewash at home to South Africa, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India reportedly unhappy with several of his recent press conference remarks and tactical decisions. The criticism comes at a time when the team’s red-ball performance has dipped alarmingly, triggering concerns within the board and among former players.
According to a report, the BCCI has taken serious note of Gambhir’s comments following the Kolkata Test, where he spoke about pitch conditions and reminded the media of his success in white-ball cricket. The remarks were perceived as unnecessary and poorly timed, especially after a rare and humiliating home defeat. While Gambhir publicly accepted collective responsibility for the loss, the tone and contradictions in his responses are understood to have irked senior officials.
The pressure on the head coach has been compounded by public sentiment, which has increasingly turned against him in recent weeks. The report suggests that although the BCCI continues to back him for the moment, the board’s patience may wear thin if India falters at the home T20 World Cup in 2026. The tournament is now being viewed as a defining moment for Gambhir, who has overseen mixed results across formats so far.
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India’s poor showing in the Test format has been at the centre of the criticism. Multiple home series defeats under Gambhir have unsettled top officials, given India’s traditionally dominant record on home soil under earlier coaches such as Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri. A significant concern among former players and experts is Gambhir’s heavy reliance on all-rounders and part-time options at the expense of specialist batters and frontline bowlers, a strategy believed to have affected team balance and depth in the longer format.
For now, the board is not considering an immediate change, as India do not play a home Test series until August 2026. Gambhir’s achievements as white-ball coach, including successes in bilateral series, continue to lend him some credibility. However, with the World Cup approaching, the expectation is clear: India must deliver convincingly on home turf to secure Gambhir’s future in the role.
Until then, the head coach remains under watch, with every remark and decision being closely examined by the cricket establishment.
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