Is Gautam Gambhir on a tight rope? Is the Indian head coach set to be replaced soon? The questions regarding these lines have been circulating across the platform for the last couple of days.
As the Indian team prepare for the T20 World Cup 2026, the outside noise remains incessant. In a year marked by mixed fortunes for Indian cricket, speculation surrounding head coach Gautam Gambhir's position intensified following the team's disappointing 0-2 home Test series loss to South Africa. Reports emerged suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had informally approached former batsman VVS Laxman to take over as Test coach, citing dissatisfaction with Gambhir's red-ball results.
Gautam Gambhir to be removed as India coach?
Reports from various sources indicated a talk
between BCCI and VVS Laxman for the role. Laxman, currently the Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, reportedly declined the role, expressing a preference for his current position and more family time. The 51-year-old has previously served as interim coach and is highly regarded for his tactical acumen, but wanted to remain with the same role for now. But the winds have continued to blow against Gambhir, which has suggested the thin wall may fall soon.
Fact Check: Gautam Gambhir set to remain India Coach
But what's the truth? It indicates that there is no such danger at all to Gambhir's job. Cross-referencing shows no independent confirmation of the approach to Laxman beyond the initial report, and Laxman's known preference for his NCA role aligns with the denial. Gambhir, who has an excellent record in white ball cricket as head coach, has no such immediate danger to his job, especially with T20 World Cup on the horizon.
And to put matter to rest, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia swiftly dismissed these claims as "totally speculative" and baseless. Saikia emphasized that no discussions-formal or informal-had occurred with Laxman regarding the coaching position.
"This is totally incorrect news going on. This is totally speculative news. Some very reputed news agencies are also flashing the news. There is no truth to it. BCCI straight away denies. People can think all they want, but BCCI has not taken any steps. This is somebody's figment of imagination; there is no truth in it, and I cannot say anything except that this is factually incorrect and baseless news," Saikia said to ANI.
