A latest development has come to the fore, suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is in a mood to replace Gautam Gambhir as the head-coach of the Test team, and Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman has been approached by the board to replace the former. The ex-India middle-order batter and Test specialist of his time has been informally contacted by the board to succeed Gambhir.
However, Gambhir will reportedly continue in his coaching job for ODIs and T20Is, hinting that
the BCCI wants the senior men's side to adapt the split coaching method for red-ball and white-ball teams. With the 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, it would be unfair if Gambhir is removed, especially after leading the Men in Blue to Champions Trophy and Asia Cup triumphs earlier this year.
"Gambhir does have (a) strong backing within the power corridors of Indian cricket and obviously, if India retain the T20 World Cup or at least reach the final, he would be seamlessly continuing with his assignment. However, it would be interesting if Gambhir continues in Tests too," a board official was quoted as saying by India Today.
Meanwhile, Laxman, who has long back stated that he wishes to enjoy more personal and familial space, is not interested in taking up the job as the head coach, which requires extensive travelling for Indian and overseas tours. This has allowed Laxman to find peace being the CoE head, as he has been in Bengaluru for almost four years now.
"His (Gambhir's) advantage being (that there) aren't too many alternate options in red ball format since VVS Laxman isn't interested in coaching senior Test team," the official added.
For the unversed, India have failed to win a single away Test series in Gambhir's stewardship, and also lost to South Africa and New Zealand at home, showing a very poor record compared to his predecessors. As a result, it will become extremely crucial to see if the development actually comes into fruition.
