Gautam Gambhir set to call shots as he becomes most powerful figure in Indian dressing room: Report

Gambhir reportedly wanted fresh faces for the next WTC cycle.

India’s star batter Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday (May 12). This move comes just days after Rohit Sharma called time on his Test career with immediate effect.

Kohli and Rohit’s Test future had come under severe scrutiny after their flop show in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25.

Kohli began the marquee series with a second innings hundred (100*) at Perth, but he managed to amass only 90 runs in his other eight innings combined. On the other hand, Rohit managed just 31 runs in five innings at an abysmal average of 6.20 -- the lowest by a touring captain on Australian soil.

After the end of the tour Down Under, there was chatter of the Indian team management wanting to look past the veteran duo and go in with fresh faces for the upcoming five-Test series against England.

According to a PTI report, India head coach Gautam Gambhir wanted fresh faces for the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle beginning with the England tour.

Under Gambhir, India suffered a humiliating 3-0 whitewash in the home Test series against New Zealand followed by 3-1 thrashing in the BGT, resulting in the team not making the WTC final for the very first time.

With Rohit, Virat and Ravichandran Ashwin retired, there aren't many superstars left inside the Indian dressing room, and Gambhir might just gain full control.

"The Gautam Gambhir era begins now. He was categorical that during the next WTC cycle, India need to have fresh faces," PTI quoted a BCCI source as saying.

"Everyone associated with decision-making knew where Gambhir stood in terms of carrying seniors in the longest format. Obviously, his and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar's thoughts aligned," the source added.

Shubman Gill is the leading contender to be India’s next Test captain. Jasprit Bumrah led the side in Rohit Sharma's absence during but looking at his workload management, it is unlikely that the ace pacer will be given a leadership role going forward.

The report also claimed that Gambhir wanted the BCCI to empower him suitably so that debacle like BGT and New Zealand series at home isn’t repeated anymore.

Gill is a superstar in making but has still not attained the status where he can question Gambhir’s decisions and strategies.

The tour of England might just be make or break for Gambhir in terms of being the red-ball coach. The five-match series is slated to get underway on June 20 in Leeds.

(With PTI Inputs)