Border Gavaskar Trophy: Gautam Gambhir's coaching stint hanging by the thread

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team has had a rocky start, far from the ideal beginning many had hoped for. Taking over from Rahul Dravid, who led India to glory in the T20 World Cup 2024, Gambhir's first challenge came with the multi-format series against Sri Lanka. In this series, India suffered a 2-0 loss in the ODI matches but bounced back to secure a clean sweep in the three-match T20 series, showcasing glimpses of promise. However, the optimism was short-lived. India then hosted Bangladesh for a home series, where the opposition failed to put up much resistance, and India comfortably whitewashed them. Yet, the real test came with the series against New Zealand, which turned into a major disaster for the Men in Blue. India were comprehensively outplayed in all three Tests, marking their first home series loss since 2012.

The defeat to New Zealand, particularly on home soil, was a huge blow to Gambhir's coaching credentials and the team’s morale. The loss to New Zealand highlighted several issues within the team, including batting vulnerabilities and lackluster performances in key moments. While Gambhir’s coaching philosophy is still taking shape, the team’s struggles have raised questions about his ability to steer India through such challenges. The series defeat has left the Indian team management with plenty to reflect upon as they prepare for upcoming challenges.

According to a report by Dainik Jagran, Gautam Gambhir may be on the brink of losing his position as the head coach of India’s red-ball team, with the final decision likely hinging on the team’s performance in Australia. A source close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that Gambhir’s future could be in jeopardy "if things don’t work out in Australia." If India fails to perform adequately, former cricketer VVS Laxman is reportedly set to take over the reins of the Test team, with Gambhir shifting focus solely to the white-ball formats.

Despite the underwhelming results so far, Gambhir has had most of his demands fulfilled by the BCCI, including the selection of his preferred coaching staff and a list of players for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This level of autonomy is rare in Indian cricket, and many believe that it’s precisely this freedom that has led to disappointment at the top levels of the BCCI, given the lack of significant results. The pressure is mounting on Gambhir, and the coming series in Australia could determine whether his tenure continues or if a change is made.

VVS Laxman has stepped in as interim head coach of the Indian cricket team on several occasions, showcasing his leadership abilities and tactical insight. Currently, he is with the Indian team on their tour of South Africa, where he continues to contribute to the team’s success. In addition to his role with the senior national team, Laxman is the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where he plays a key role in shaping India’s future talent pool.

Under his guidance, India secured a dominant 61-run victory over South Africa in their latest encounter, further cementing his reputation as a capable leader. Laxman’s experience, both as a former player and a coach, makes him an invaluable asset to Indian cricket. His influence continues to grow, and his leadership is being keenly observed, especially with potential coaching changes on the horizon for India’s red-ball setup.