Sports

Gautam Gambhir’s future as head coach remains uncertain, BCCI will take call after India’s performance in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

[ad_1]

Head coach Gautam Gambhir’s position will be ‘re-evaluated’ by the BCCI after seeing India’s performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 next month.

Gautam Gambhir
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir. (Photo: ANI)

There is a sword hanging over the head of chief coach Gautam Gambhir after Team India’s lacklustre showing in the last few months. Rohit Sharma’s side were whitewashed for the first time ever by New Zealand 3-0 in Tests followed by their 3-1 loss to Australia in the five-match series to surrender the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in 10 years.

Gambhir’s role as head coach of the Indian cricket team is under scrutiny and will be ‘re-evaluated’ based on the team’s performance in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 next month. Concerns have emerged about discontent in the dressing room due to Gambhir’s efforts to dismantle the long-standing ‘superstar culture’ within the team.

Since Gambhir’s appointment in July last year, India has struggled, losing six of their last 10 Tests and a bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka. These poor results have also cast doubt on the international futures of senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have been in poor form.

According to a report in PTI news agency, Gambhir’s own position has come under question, fuelled by rumours of rifts with senior players during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series in Australia. According to a senior BCCI source, if India underperforms in the Champions Trophy, Gambhir’s position could become untenable, the PTI report stated. While his contract runs until the 2027 World Cup, his performance is under constant review.

“Sport is result-oriented, and Gambhir hasn’t delivered tangible outcomes yet,” the source was quoted as saying by PTI.

Conflict over team culture

A review of the team’s performance in Australia revealed that Gambhir and senior players are not aligned on team culture. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Gambhir has aimed to eliminate the ‘superstar culture’. His tenure as Kolkata Knight Riders captain in 2012, where he dropped Brendon McCullum for the IPL final, and his insistence on team-first decisions during his Delhi Ranji days, highlight his mindset.

Gambhir once shifted Delhi Ranji team’s home matches to the Roshanara Ground to take advantage of green-top pitches, despite a senior player’s preference for a more convenient location. A source close to Gambhir’s operations noted that his firm stance has caused discomfort among some players.

Adding to the tension, Gambhir reportedly clashed with senior players over demands regarding hotel preferences and practice schedules during the Australia tour. On the other hand, some players felt Gambhir was not communicative enough, creating further friction.

‘Greg Chappell method doesn’t work in India’

The national selection committee is wary of Gambhir having excessive influence over team selection. A former selector compared Gambhir’s approach to that of Greg Chappell, whose tenure as head coach ended in turmoil due to differences with senior players.

“Coaches in India need to strike a balance,” the selector said, contrasting Gambhir’s methods with those of Ravi Shastri, who embraced the media and backed players publicly, or Rahul Dravid, Gary Kirsten, and John Wright, who worked quietly behind the scenes.

“The ‘Chappell Way’ doesn’t work in India. Coaches like Gambhir or Shastri come and go, but the players remain,” the former selector added.

Off-field controversies

Gambhir’s position has also been undermined by controversies surrounding his personal assistant, who reportedly accompanied the team during the Australia tour, raising eyebrows within the BCCI.

“Why was his PA given access to the selectors’ car or hospitality areas meant for team members?” a BCCI official questioned, expressing irritation over breaches of protocol.

With tensions running high, the Indian dressing room is heading into the Champions Trophy, scheduled from February 19 to March 9, under significant strain. The tournament will likely determine not only the future of Gambhir’s tenure but also the direction of team culture and leadership dynamics in Indian cricket.






[ad_2]
Source link

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button