India’s recent 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the team’s coaching approach under head coach Gautam Gambhir. The historic home defeat has sparked criticism from fans and experts alike, leading to speculation about Gambhir’s future as coach.
Reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reassessing Gambhir’s role. There is a possibility that the board may appoint separate coaches for different formats, with Gambhir potentially focusing on white-ball cricket, and VVS Laxman being considered for the red-ball (Test) team.
The unexpected loss to New Zealand has put Gambhir‘s coaching methods under the spotlight, particularly his influence over pitch preparation and team selection. These decisions seemingly backfired, as Indian batters struggled on spin-friendly surfaces, leading to the whitewash. With the upcoming series against Australia, the BCCI is closely monitoring Gambhir’s performance, and if the team does not perform well in Australia, the board may reconsider his position as Test coach.
Gambhir is set to coach India in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia. However, if India fails to perform, he could lose his role as Test coach. A source close to the BCCI indicated that Gambhir may need to step down from the red-ball team if India struggles in the series, although this remains speculative for now.
With discussions already circulating within the BCCI about splitting the coaching roles, VVS Laxman could be considered as a potential replacement for Gambhir if India underperforms in Australia. Laxman, currently the head of the National Cricket Academy, has previously stepped in as coach when needed, and the BCCI values his leadership and experience in managing the Test squad.
The concept of appointing separate coaches for red-ball and white-ball cricket is seen as a beneficial strategy by several cricket boards globally. With India’s packed international schedule and the distinct demands of different formats, this approach could allow coaches to specialize and focus on format-specific strategies, ultimately improving the team’s overall performance. If implemented, it may provide Indian cricket with the structure needed to excel across all formats.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Stay ahead of the latest cricket industry trends by subscribing to our free cricexec “daily briefing” newsletter.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
