The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has dismissed speculation surrounding Gautam Gambhir’s future as India’s Test head coach. Following India’s disappointing home series whitewash against South Africa, several reports stated that the board was considering a coaching change, with VVS Laxman named as a potential replacement. However, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has now publicly quashed these rumours, revealing that there is no plan to remove Gambhir from his role.
Gambhir, who took
charge as India’s head coach in July 2024 after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended, has faced criticism due to India’s inconsistent performances in the longest format. The recent home whitewash against South Africa recorded India’s first Test series loss to the Proteas at home since 2000. It also followed a 0-3 home defeat to New Zealand last year, making it back-to-back home series setbacks.
These results triggered speculation that the BCCI was unhappy with India’s Test direction under Gambhir, especially after the team failed to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the first time since the tournament’s inception. Putting all doubts to rest, Shukla issued a statement denying any decision to replace Gambhir.
"I want to make it very clear regarding the speculation circulating in the media about head coach Gautam Gambhir. The BCCI secretary (Devajit Saikia) has also made it very clear that there is no plan to remove Gambhir or bring in a new head coach for India," Shukla told as quoted by News18.
India's next focus remains on limited-overs cricket
Earlier, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia called the reports totally speculative and baseless. He stressed that the board had not taken any steps to change the coaching structure and requested fans and media not to believe in unfounded claims.
Gambhir’s overall coaching tenure includes notable white-ball success, with India winning the 2025 Champions Trophy and Asia Cup under his guidance. India has won seven of the 19 Tests played since his appointment, including series wins against Bangladesh and West Indies at home and a drawn five-Test series in England.
However, defeats against New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, particularly at home, have raised questions about India’s red-ball performance. The head coach himself accepted the pressure after the South Africa series, stating that his future was ultimately for the BCCI to decide.
Meanwhile, India’s next focus remains on limited-overs cricket, including defending their T20 World Cup title. In Test cricket, they are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka and New Zealand in 2026, followed by a five-Test home Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in early 2027.
