India’s recent defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has increased pressure on head coach Gautam Gambhir. Reports from PTI suggest growing tension between Gambhir and certain senior players, who are reportedly unhappy with inconsistent team selections.
Concerns have emerged over a lack of clear communication within the team since Gambhir’s appointment. Previously, under coaches like Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid, transparency between players and management was a key strength.
A source from the BCCI revealed that the team’s performance in the upcoming Test and the Champions Trophy could decide Gambhir’s future.
“There is a Test match to be played and then there is Champions Trophy. If the performance doesn’t improve, even Gautam Gambhir’s position wouldn’t be safe,” PTI quoted a senior BCCI official as saying.
Gambhir’s support staff is also under scrutiny. Concerns have been raised over a staff member traveling with a personal assistant and reportedly accessing restricted areas during matches, including the BCCI’s designated box in Australia. Reports further suggest the BCCI originally wanted VVS Laxman to succeed Rahul Dravid as head coach, but Gautam Gambhir’s selection was a compromise.
“He (Gambhir) was never BCCI’s first choice (it was VVS Laxman) and some of the well-known overseas names didn’t want to coach all three formats, so he was a compromise. Obviously, some other compulsions were also there,” the official added.
Meanwhile, India trails Australia 1-2 in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A loss in Sydney would hand Australia the trophy for the first time since 2014-15 and secure their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India, with five losses in their last seven Tests, faces an uphill battle. South Africa has already secured a spot in the WTC final, leaving India’s hopes hanging by a thread.
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Last Updated on January 1, 2025
Senior Sports Copywriter
