Gautam Gambhir In Trouble? BCCI Eyes Legendary Player For Test Coach Role

<p>Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach of the Indian men&rsquo;s cricket team in July 2024. His tenure has delivered impressive results in white-ball cricket, with India performing strongly in both T20Is and ODIs.</p> <p>The team lifted the Champions Trophy by defeating New Zealand in the final and also clinched the Asia Cup in the T20 format.</p> <p>However, India&rsquo;s red-ball performances have been a cause for concern. In their most recent Test assignment, the team suffered a 0-2 series defeat at home against South Africa.</p> <p>Reports now suggest that this poor run has prompted discussions within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with a senior official said to have informally sounded out VVS Laxman regarding the role of Test team coach.</p> <p>India&rsquo;s struggles in Tests continued with a series loss in Australia, which ended their hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. The situation has not improved in the current 2025-27 WTC cycle either.</p> <p>India has managed only four wins from nine matches so far, with an equal number of defeats, leaving the team placed sixth on the points table.</p> <h3>Was VVS Laxman approached?</h3> <p>According to reports, following the home Test series loss to South Africa in November, a top BCCI official informally asked VVS Laxman whether he would consider taking charge of the Test side.</p> <p>Laxman, a former India batter, currently serves as the Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.</p> <p>As per the report, he is keen to continue in his present role. While Gambhir&rsquo;s contract as head coach runs until the 2027 World Cup, it is understood that his position - particularly in the Test format - is under internal review. India&rsquo;s showing at the 2026 T20 World Cup is expected to play a key role in future decisions.</p> <p>The report adds that discussions are ongoing within the BCCI about whether Gambhir should continue overseeing the Test team. No final call has been taken on appointing a separate coach for the remaining nine matches of the 2025-27 WTC cycle or backing Gambhir to see it through.</p> <p><strong>India&rsquo;s Test schedule for 2026-27</strong></p> <p>India will be away from red-ball cricket until August, when they tour Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series. Later in October and November, the team will travel to New Zealand for another two-Test series. Early in 2027, Australia will visit India for a high-profile five-match Test series.</p>

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