Virtually a month after the humiliating 0–2 whitewash towards South Africa, India’s second dwelling whitewash within the final 12 months, a media report claimed that the BCCI had “informally approached” former India batter VVS Laxman to take over as the top coach of the red-ball group. Nevertheless, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia rubbished the hypothesis on Sunday, firmly reiterating the board’s backing of Gautam Gambhir.
Laxman has lengthy been on the BCCI’s radar for the top coach’s position. When Rahul Dravid’s tenure was coming to an finish final 12 months, and with Gambhir rising as the only real robust contender, the previous India No.3 was reportedly sounded out. Nevertheless, as talked about within the PTI report, Laxman declined the provide, sustaining that he was content material in his present position as Head of Cricket on the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Talking to the ANI, Saikia has now categorically dismissed any suggestion of a change in management.
He mentioned: “That is completely incorrect information occurring. That is completely speculative information. Some very reputed information companies are additionally flashing the information. There isn’t any fact to it. BCCI right away denies. Individuals can assume all they need, however BCCI has not taken any steps. That is any individual’s figment of creativeness; there isn’t any fact in it, and I can not say something besides that that is factually incorrect and baseless information.”
When Gautam Gambhir was requested to weigh in on his future as India’s head coach final month, amid rising requires his elimination, he was fast to level to his achievements in white-ball cricket. Underneath his tenure, India gained the Champions Trophy within the ODI format and lifted the lads’s T20 Asia Cup in September.
These successes haven’t gone unnoticed. Nevertheless, a PTI report revealed that the BCCI stays involved about India’s prospects within the red-ball format, with the group presently positioned sixth within the World Check Championship 2025–27 factors desk, with 9 matches nonetheless to play.
The report additional said that though Gambhir’s contract runs till the tip of the 2027 ODI World Cup, there’s a robust risk it could possibly be revisited if India fail to satisfy expectations on the upcoming T20 World Cup. It added that the BCCI historically takes a wait-and-watch strategy on the subject of main coverage choices. A take a look at the calendar additionally works within the board’s favour. After the T20 World Cup, the Indian Premier League will occupy the subsequent two months, giving the decision-makers ample respiratory area.
Those that have the ultimate say within the BCCI may have adequate time to take an knowledgeable name on whether or not to go for break up teaching or proceed with a single coach throughout codecs, after assessing India’s efficiency on the world occasion.
