Sydney, Jan 1: As Indian cricket grapples with the declining performance of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the focus has shifted to head coach Gautam Gambhir and his support staff’s ability to navigate a transitioning team. The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been challenging, with the squad struggling to find the right strategies against a driven Australian team, culminating in a must-win fifth Test set for Friday.
The tumult on the field is spilling over into the dressing room, with rising rumors of discontent among players. Reports suggest that Gambhir’s rapport with most team members isn’t as strong as it was during Ravi Shastri’s and Rahul Dravid’s tenures. Rohit Sharma maintains that he individually discusses selection matters with players; however, since Gambhir took over in July, clarity regarding exclusions has been lacking, particularly for some of the more experienced players.
Rohit’s own form issues have compounded the situation, and it appears that Gambhir, known for his assertiveness, has not gained significant trust from a squad that, while not as seasoned as Kohli or Rohit, is also not entirely inexperienced.
“There’s a Test match to play and the Champions Trophy coming up. If performance does not improve, even Gautam Gambhir’s position could be at risk,” a senior BCCI official disclosed to PTI, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Currently, Gambhir’s relationship with the selection committee is somewhat unclear, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty among players who feel insecure due to his tendency to experiment with the lineup. While a gamble like Nitish Reddy has paid off, the management of Shubman Gill remains a topic of debate.
With BCCI secretary Jay Shah stepping up to the ICC chief role and a new successor coming only after January 12, the BCCI leadership will need to consider its options carefully. During Shah’s tenure, he made decisive calls, while current president Roger Binny has not yet taken notable policy stances.
Without a significant team turnaround during the Champions Trophy in February-March, Gambhir may find his influence curtailed.
“He was never the first choice for BCCI (VVS Laxman was preferred) and various factors contributed to his appointment, especially as several high-profile international candidates were unwilling to coach all formats. Clearly, other dynamics were at play,” the official added.
After the home series loss to New Zealand, Gambhir faced scrutiny, and another defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could spell trouble for the passionate former opener from Old Rajinder Nagar in Delhi.
There’s an emerging view that Gambhir should limit his role to coaching the T20 team, where he has previously excelled as a captain and mentor for both the Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow SuperGiants.
One pertinent question circulating among decision-makers is whether he has provided Virat Kohli with effective guidance regarding his continuing struggles with outside-off-stump dismissals. Current indications suggest a lack of effective communication on this issue.
“Gautam, throughout his career in England and Australia, faced similar deliveries. He knows Kohli’s challenges as he has witnessed them as a player (in 2014), commentator, and now as a coach. If he’s aware of the problem, he should instruct him,” remarked a former Indian great with over 90 Test matches to his name.
Concerns regarding support staff
The BCCI is also monitoring developments involving a key support staff member who has been bringing his personal assistant to all venues. This individual previously had on-field access during the IPL, where he would enter the playing arena in team apparel. In Australia, however, his presence within the BCCI members’ box has reportedly not been well received, as per a high-ranking source. (PTI)
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