The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has categorically denied any plans to replace Gautam Gambhir as the Indian Test team head coach. Gambhir's term as India's head coach has generated mixed success in all formats.
Under his leadership, India has achieved great success in white-ball cricket, winning both the ICC and ACC limited-overs crowns. However, the same level of consistency has not translated into Test cricket, where India has suffered ten defeats against SENA nations, sparking controversy about the team's red-ball strategy.
He came under severe scrutiny after India suffered their second whitewash in Tests in two years as South Africa defeated them 0-2 last month.
Following the incident, there were rumors that the BCCI had looked into other alternatives for the red-ball setup, with VVS Laxman, the Head of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, being linked to a potential position. As India's test results came under further scrutiny, the conversation intensified.
But BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has firmly shut down speculation surrounding Gautam Gambhir’s future as India’s Test coach. Reiterating that no coach has been contacted and that the board has not talked about replacing Gambhir in any way, Saikia emphatically denied the allegations. He emphasized that the current coaching system is unaltered and that Gambhir's contract is valid until the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"The reports currently circulating are entirely inaccurate and purely speculative. Despite being carried by some reputed media outlets, there is no truth to these claims. The BCCI categorically denies them and has taken no such steps. These reports are based on conjecture and imagination, are factually incorrect, and are completely baseless,” Saikia told ANI.
India’s red-ball schedule in the ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle is an intense one. India’s Test assignments will include a tour of Sri Lanka in August and then another two-Test series in New Zealand in October. This will be followed by the five-Test BGT 2027 series at home against Australia.
