BCCI set to restrain the control of Gautam Gambhir over selection calls?

India, on Sunday, suffered one of the most crushing defeats in Tests at home. Before November 3, no team had completed a whitewash over the Indians in their backyard. However, New Zealand broke the record when they claimed a 25-run victory at Wankhede. The 3-0 defeat on their home turf has raised many serious questions about the team and the support staff. Moreover, most of the brunt is being faced by senior names like skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and head coach Gautam Gambhir. Notably, this is the second blow that India has endured to one of their long-defended records under Gambhir. Consequently, the latest reports suggest that the BCCI is likely to take some stern steps regarding the free hand that Gambhir currently holds with respect to team decisions.

BCCI set to limit the powers of Gautam Gambhir over selection calls following the whitewash against NZ

Reportedly, the portfolio of Gautam Gambhir as the Indian head coach has come under scrutiny. Under Gambhir's watch, India lost a Test series at home after 12 years. To rub salt into the wounds, New Zealand completed the three-match series by ending India's long-standing streak of never having faced a whitewash in a Test series consisting of three or more matches. Notably, this is the second instance of a series defeat under Gambhir, who took over in July. The first setback was a 0-2 ODI loss to Sri Lanka in August. With these setbacks not reflecting well on Gambhir's record as head coach, the BCCI is looking to curb Gambhir's previously unquestioned decisions regarding team proceedings.

According to the report, Gambhir’s future relies on India’s upcoming tour of Australia, where the team will compete in a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India, in Australia, needs to win the series 4-0 in order to qualify for the WTC Finals. Moreover, the Rohit Sharma-led side will look to defend the trophy, which Australia has not been able to claim for a decade now. Specifically, the Indian side, currently second in the WTC standings, must avoid multiple losses or more than one draw to secure their place in the final for a third time.

The report further suggests that without a significant turnaround, Gambhir’s authority, particularly in selection, may be curtailed by the BCCI. Gambhir has been granted a free hand in selection matters, a freedom not enjoyed by previous head coaches Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid. Recently, concerns arose around Gambhir’s push for a rank turner in the third Test against New Zealand, despite India's growing struggle against spin. Additionally, his tactical choices, such as sending Mohammed Siraj as a night-watchman on Day 2 of the third Test and Sarfaraz Khan at No. 8 in the first innings, have also drawn criticism.

The report highlights Gambhir’s influential role in key selections, such as advocating for Suryakumar Yadav over Hardik Pandya as India’s T20I captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. Recently, he also backed the selection of Harshit Rana in the squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy despite Rana's newness to the format. This decision stirred further questions, as Rana had skipped the India A tour of Australia to play a Ranji Trophy match against Assam before joining the national squad for practice in Mumbai ahead of the third New Zealand Test. Now, with none of his major decisions bearing any fruits for the team, Gambhir's future depends on India's perfomance in the BGT down under.