Gautam Gambhir to face tough questions from BCCI after team India’s embarrassing performance against New Zealand

Gautam Gambhir has come under the forward-looking scrutiny of the BCCI who will query him on a choice made or implemented after he became the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, particularly in relation to the criticism raised concerning their performance against New Zealand at home. India had on her own home turf is historical bastion, yet succumbed to the visitors’ 0-3 whitewashed series loss.

As reported in the Times of India, growing unease within the team regarding the approach of seeking cracker pitches after ingesting one and beating England 4-1 in a five-Test series on level surfaces, has also made the cut. So, it is reported, a request was made from this team for more spin-friendly wickets after the first Test of the series, which was in Bengaluru, against New Zealand who surprised the team with seam friendly conditions.

“Some people in the board were taken aback by the decision to revert to black soil and clay pitches. Support staff under Gambhir will have to answer what is the plan ahead to this team,” the insider quoted by TOI said.

It is further suggested that the BCCI has given in to Gambhir’s Yet to be Diffused Burning Issues and granted him a full complement of coaching staff which saw Abhishek Nayar, Morne Morkel and Ryan ten Doeschate getting appointed.

The former India opener was also present at the meeting where the squad for the Australia tour was being discussed, which has become a matter of dispute.

“The BCCI has expressed that it will concede every demand of Gambhir upto this point,” the source stated. “He has been provided a support staff of his preference, which is against the BCCI’s philosophy of cherishing and escalating only those coaches who have been prepared within NCA’s system of management. He has also been permitted to participate in the selection conference that will determine players for the tour of Australia. The board would probably have to rethink its options and ask Gambhir for a plan of action.”

Rohit Sharma, Gambhir, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar will most likely be present for the review.

Earlier, PTI News had reached out to apprehend Gambhir was allowed to join the selection committee meeting owing to the importance of the tour of Australia despite the fact that the BCCI does not permit the coaches to participate in such processes.

“Gautam Gambhir was granted permissions even those his predecessors Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid did not have. The BCCI’s rule book does not permit coaches to be involved in the selection committee meetings, however an exception was made for the Australia tour selection meeting. The head coach was allowed in because of the importance of the tour,” the source said.