BCCI Reportedly Has No Plans of Sacking Gautam Gambhir After Humiliating Series Loss to South Africa

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia asserted that it will take time for the Indian team to reclaim the No. 1 Test ranking under Gautam Gambhir.

BCCI Reportedly Has No Plans of Sacking Gautam Gambhir After Humiliating Series Loss to South Africa

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia expressed confidence in Gautam Gambhir's abilities. (via News 18)

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India’s humiliating Test series defeat to South Africa at home was a nail in the coffin for head coach Gautam Gambhir, who has been under fire for the team’s disastrous red-ball results. Despite the growing clamor over Gambhir’s removal, the BCCI has no plans to sack him in the near future.

The Men in Blue were thrashed by the reigning WTC winners in the second Test at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, by a record-margin of 408 runs. India also lost a Test series to South Africa for the first time in 25 years. It was also the second time in the span of a year that India had been white-washed at home, having lost 0-3 to New Zealand last year.

Since Gautam Gambhir took over as the head coach in July 2024, the Indian Test team has suffered a horrendous fate, losing ten out of the 19 matches that it has played so far. While the 44-year-old has been highly successful in white-ball cricket, he has struggled to produce similar results in the longest format. Gambhir’s strategies, including a hasty transition, over-reliance on all-rounders and selection of IPL talents over Ranji performers, have been criticized.

Gautam Gambhir, despite the backlash, has remained confident, while maintaining the position that his future in the position remains in the hands of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials. Over the growing demand for his removal, the BCCI cleared the air.

The board reiterated its position by sharing that it would not make sweeping ‘knee-jerk’ decisions at the moment, affirming that it remains committed to a long-term plan for the team. 

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, speaking after the team’s embarrassing defeat to South Africa, cited that the Indian cricket board does not make changes in leadership or management now and then. He added that the board would only bring changes at the end of a certain period or a contract, underlining the fact that Gambhir is now set to remain as India’s head coach until his contract runs out in 2027.

BCCI doesn’t take knee-jerk reactions. We are going on as per our long-term plan. We don’t make changes every now and then. If any change is required, we take a call at the end of that particular period.

Thereafter, Saikia’s emphasis on Gambhir continuing as head coach confirms that he 44-year-old would be in-charge, when the Men in Blue defend their T20 World Cup crown next year. He is also expected to remain in the position, with eyes set on lifting the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Team India and Gautam Gambhir face ODI challenge against South Africa, after Test debacle

After losing the two-match Test series against South Africa, India is ready for another challenge against the same opposition, with the white-ball series set to begin on November 30. The team and head coach Gautam Gambhir will be under pressure to overcoming the Test series humiliation.

India Gautam Gambhir ODIs
Team India and Gautam Gambhir next face the ODI challenge against South Africa. (via Crictracker)

India will take on the Proteas first in a three-match ODI series, with the opener scheduled to be played in Ranchi. The Men in Blue are already in trouble before the start of the ODI series, with both captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer out injured, leaving a gaping hole in batting. The Indian team will also be without the services of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, for the three ODIs. 

In Gill’s absence, head coach Gautam Gambhir has gone ahead to appoint KL Rahul as the captain of the side, while including in-form batters like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma in the squad. Furthermore, a lot will be expected of the veteran batting duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom have retired from Tests and ODIs, but remain active in the 50-over format.

Coming to the South Africans, they will be led by Temba Bavuma, with veteran wicket-keeper batter Quinton de Kock making his return to India after having come out of retirement to play for the Proteas. Kagiso Rabada remains a surprise exclusion from the ODI squad.

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