With an ICC and ACC title in each of the two formats, Gautam Gambhir’s record as India’s white ball coach has been rather outstanding. However, when it comes to Test cricket, the same cannot be said, as he has lost ten matches against SENA nations.
It is believed that shortly after India’s crushing defeat to South Africa in the two-Test series at home last month, VVS Laxman was once again approached informally by a powerful member of the cricket board to see if he would be interested in coaching the red ball squad.
Laxman, however, is reportedly content in his role as the “Head of Cricket” at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Although Gambhir’s contract with the BCCI expires at the conclusion of the 2027 ODI World Cup, it is entirely possible that it may be reviewed based on how well India does in the T20 World Cup, which starts in five weeks.
The question of whether Gambhir is the best candidate to lead the red ball side for the final nine Tests of the World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle is still up for debate in the BCCI corridors.
After drawing the five-Test series 2-2 in England, India now face a pair of overseas assignments — two Tests in Sri Lanka in August 2026 followed by a two-Test tour of New Zealand in October — before returning home to host Australia for a marquee five-Test series in January–February 2027.
“Gambhir does have (a) strong backing within the power corridors of Indian cricket and obviously, if India retain the T20 World Cup or at least reach the final, he would be seamlessly continuing with his assignment. However, it would be interesting if Gambhir continues in Tests too,” a PTI report quoted a BCCI source as saying.
“His 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,” the source added, according to the report.
In contrast to the Rahul Dravid era, when responsibilities were clearly defined, the Indian dressing room is a murky place these days, with many players not exactly feeling secure under the Gambhir rule. The players had a lengthy rope to demonstrate their abilities during Dravid’s three-year reign.
Gambhir’s footprints were all over Shubman Gill’s expulsion from the T20 World Cup team, and it has undoubtedly led many players to assume that anyone’s name could be placed on the next omission number if Indian cricket’s future poster boy could be written out.
When it comes to making policy decisions, the BCCI always takes its time. According to the schedule, the Indian Premier League would take place for two months following the T20 World Cup.
After evaluating India’s performance in the international meet, those with the final say in the BCCI will have enough time to make an informed decision regarding split coaching or having a single coach across forms.
Even if he has supporters in the BCCI, the next two months will be very exciting for “Guru Gambhir.”
