Gautam Gambhir reportedly doesn’t enjoy the same authority and backing from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as he did a year ago. According to a report from cricblogger.com, the men’s
head coach is under pressure, having lost the support of some stakeholders in the board as well as the team.
The report said some board officials believe Gambhir has frequently attributed losses to players, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) or members of the support staff, while rarely taking accountability for decisions made by the team management. The report added that this perception has also found its way into the dressing room.
The report claimed that some ‘senior’ players have privately and informally expressed reservations about Gambhir’s coaching style to former India cricketers as well as members of the BCCI.
While Gambhir still has the backing of the BCCI, some officials feel he hasn’t justified the significant control he has had over the team setup, including his preferred support staff and greater influence in decision-making.
Gambhir had previously avoided major criticism following India’s defeats to South Africa and Australia, with much of the responsibility placed on the players. He was criticised on social media for blaming the team’s issues on ‘transition’, despite claiming that there was ‘nothing like a transition’ at the start of his tenure.
However, the mood within the board is believed to have shifted, making the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka a potentially defining assignment for the head coach. Another poor series could intensify the scrutiny over his tenure.
Gambhir’s saving grace
The one huge lifejacket that Gambhir is holding on to despite India’s Test struggles and the recent horrendous tour of the UK is his contract till 2027. No board, let alone one of BCCI’s reputation to protect, would simply sack a head coach with just over a year left for the World Cup.
Moreover, candidates aren’t expected to line up for the opportunity because of how travel-intensive and scrutinised the day-to-day of it is.
