The board has reportedly approached Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman to take Gambhir’s place. The board has unofficially approached the former middle-order batsman and Test specialist from India to replace Gambhir. A recent development indicates that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering replacing Gautam Gambhir as the Test team’s head coach.
Gambhir will reportedly continue to coach ODIs and T20Is, suggesting that the BCCI wants the senior men’s squad to switch to split coaching for red-ball and white-ball sides. It would be unjust to remove Gambhir as the 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ODI World Cup draw near, especially after he led the Men in Blue to victories in the Asia Cup and Champions Trophy earlier this year.
“Gambhir has (a) solid support in Indian cricket’s elite circles, and it goes without saying that he would be carrying out his job with ease if India won the T20 World Cup or at least advanced to the final. However, India Today cited a board official as adding, “It would be interesting if Gambhir continues in Tests too.”
Laxman, on the other hand, is not interested in accepting the position of head coach, which necessitates a lot of travel for Indian and international tours, as he has always expressed a desire to spend more private and family time.
Laxman, who has been in Bengaluru for nearly four years, has been able to find serenity in his role as head of the CoE.
“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,” said the official.
For those who are unaware, India has a pretty dismal record in comparison to his predecessors, having lost to South Africa and New Zealand at home and failing to win a single overseas Test series under Gambhir’s leadership. Therefore, it will become very important to see if the development actually materialises.
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