Gautam Gambhir’s future as India’s Test head coach has been ruled out by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The board was reportedly mulling a coaching change after India’s humiliating home series loss to South Africa, and VVS Laxman was mentioned as a possible successor. Rajeev Shukla, the vice president of the BCCI, has now openly denied these allegations, stating that there is no intention to remove Gambhir from his position.
Gambhir, who succeeded Rahul Dravid as head coach of India in July 2024, has come under fire for the country’s patchy results in the longest format. India suffered its first home Test series defeat to the Proteas since 2000 in the recent thumping at home against South Africa. Additionally, it came after a 0–3 home loss to New Zealand the previous season, resulting in back-to-back home series losses.
After the team failed to make it to the World Test Championship final for the first time since the competition’s founding, these results sparked rumours that the BCCI was dissatisfied with India’s Test orientation under Gambhir.
Shukla denied any decision to replace Gambhir in a statement, dispelling any worries.
“With regard to the rumours that are going around in the media about head coach Gautam Gambhir, I want to be very clear. According to Shukla, who was cited by News18, “Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, has also made it very clear that there is no plan to remove Gambhir or bring in a new head coach for India.”
Limited-overs cricket will continue to be India’s next priority.
Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, had described the reports as completely speculative and unfounded. He emphasised that no action had been taken by the board to alter the coaching system and asked the media and supporters to not trust rumours that were not supported by evidence.
Throughout his coaching career, Gambhir has led India to significant white-ball victories, including the 2025 Champions Trophy and Asia Cup. Since his hiring, India has won seven of the 19 Test matches, including home series victories over Bangladesh and the West Indies and a five-Test series that was drawn in England.
But losses, especially at home, to South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand have sparked concerns about India’s red-ball ability. After the South Africa series, the head coach acknowledged the pressure and said the BCCI will eventually decide his future.
India’s next priority is still limited-overs cricket, which includes winning the T20 World Cup again. They have a five-Test home Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia in early 2027 after touring Sri Lanka and New Zealand in 2026.
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