SYDNEY: The Indian cricket team's dismal performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has drawn a lot of ire from fans and former players. After winning the first of the four matches against Australia, India displayed a worn-out performance to get routed on the next three. Cricket analysts and other enthusiasts of the game have joined hands to throw brickbats at captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, for their lackadaisical handling of the game at crucial stages.
Coach Gautam Gambhir has now prepared a new game plan, which requires complete adherence from players. If not followed the recommended playing style, the player shall be kicked out of the team regardless of his stature. Meanwhile, national media is reporting that some key figures in the BCCI are already at the discussion table to hire a new coach for the team.
In June 2024, Rahul Dravid, resigned after winning the Twenty20 World Cup, opening the door for Gautam Gambhir. India lost five of the seven Test matches played under him. With the chance of India reaching the world Test championship final remaining bleak, Gambhir’s position is also teetering on the edge.
According to reports, BCCI will take the final call after assessing the team’s performance in the upcoming Champions Trophy. In contrast to the days when Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid coached India, there has been a big rift in the relationship between the players and the team management in the last few games played under Gambhir’s tutelage.
Many talented players are being ignored, only for the big names in the team to remain in the playing eleven. After Dravid, BCCI was first interested in getting former Indian player VVS Laxman as a coach. Some former foreign players were also considered. A senior BCCI member indicated that Gambhir was chosen only after others rejected the proposal.
BCCI has observed that one of Gambhir's supporting staff has deployed his personal staff and accompanied the team to Australia. His involvement in the Australian tour has also left BCCI sources unhappy.