The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly dismissed reports suggesting a possible change in India’s Test coaching setup, making it clear that there is no plan to remove Gautam Gambhir as head coach.
The clarification comes after widespread speculation following India’s recent Test setbacks at home.
Rumours began circulating after India suffered a 0–2 home Test series whitewash against South Africa, which followed a 0–3 loss to New Zealand last year.
These back-to-back defeats raised questions about India’s red-ball direction under Gambhir and sparked media reports claiming that former India batter VVS Laxman had been approached to replace him as Test coach.
However, senior BCCI officials have categorically denied these claims, calling them baseless and speculative.
BCCI Officials Reject Coaching Change Reports
Reacting strongly to the rumours, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla clarified that the board has taken no steps toward changing the Test coaching leadership.
Speaking to ANI, Shukla said the reports doing the rounds in the media are completely false.
He added that BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had already made the board’s position clear, stating that there is no intention to remove Gambhir or bring in a new head coach for the Indian Test team.
Saikia echoed the same sentiment, describing the reports as factually incorrect and a product of imagination.
He stressed that while people may speculate, the BCCI has not discussed or initiated any change in the coaching setup for the longest format.
Test Setbacks and World Test Championship Impact
India’s recent Test defeats have undoubtedly raised concerns, especially with regard to their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) campaign.
The whitewash against New Zealand last year cost India a place in the WTC 2025 final, and the latest home defeat to South Africa could further complicate qualification hopes, depending on upcoming results.
Despite these challenges, the BCCI has chosen stability over knee-jerk reactions, backing Gambhir to continue steering the Test side through this phase.
Focus Shifts to T20 World Cup
For now, India’s immediate focus moves away from red-ball cricket to the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.
The team will defend the title they won last year under Rohit Sharma, but this time with a new-look squad led by Suryakumar Yadav.
India will kick off their campaign against the USA in Mumbai and are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA.
With senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli absent from the T20 setup, the young Indian side faces an exciting challenge in front of the home crowd.
While Test results remain a concern, the BCCI’s clear message is that Gautam Gambhir retains full backing as India’s Test head coach, and there will be no immediate changes to the coaching leadership.
