Gambhir’s Tenure as Head Coach Secured Until 2027 ICC World Cup

MUMBAI: Despite recent subpar performances in Test cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reaffirmed its support for head coach Gautam Gambhir, according to reports circulating in Indian media on Monday.

Reports indicate that Gambhir’s position is stable, irrespective of the outcome of the ongoing five-match Test series against England, where India is currently trailing 0-1.

The BCCI does not intend to replace him, even if the team suffers a 0-5 defeat.

Gambhir assumed the coaching role in 2024, succeeding Rahul Dravid after India’s T20 World Cup victory.

His appointment was celebrated after he guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to a title win in a successful IPL campaign.

However, under his guidance, India has only secured three wins out of 11 Test matches, raising concerns about his effectiveness in the red-ball format.

One suggestion that has emerged involves a split coaching approach – keeping Gambhir for white-ball formats and appointing a separate coach for Test matches.

However, the BCCI has historically avoided such structural changes, preferring consistency across all formats.

An unnamed BCCI official stated that the split-coaching idea was briefly entertained following India’s series loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year. The board ultimately decided to maintain the existing structure for stability.

Official’s Statement

“Currently, Gambhir is performing admirably with a young team. Results may not be immediate during a transitional period. Australia and England have encountered similar difficulties during their rebuilding phases.

“It is too early to make any significant changes. There are still four Tests remaining in the England series, and we are confident in our ability to recover. Gambhir has the board’s full confidence,” the official added.

Gambhir is expected to continue leading India across all formats, with his contract extending until the conclusion of the 2027 ICC World Cup.