Big twist after South Africa defeat: Will VVS Laxman replace Gautam Gambhir and become Test head coach? BCCI gave clarification

New Delhi: The recent performance of the Indian Test team under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir has raised many questions. After the 0-2 Test series defeat against South Africa at home and the 0-3 defeat at the hands of New Zealand, discussions about Gambhir’s coaching style had intensified. Meanwhile, speculations about his removal from the post of coach of the Test team also started surfacing.

Now the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made its position completely clear on all these discussions. The board has made it clear that neither has there been any thought nor has any discussion been held regarding the removal of Gautam Gambhir from the post of red-ball i.e. coach of the Test team.

News going on about Gambhir

BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia has given a big statement on the speculations regarding the future of Gautam Gambhir. He rejected these reports outright and said that there is no basis for any such discussion at the board level.

What did Devjit Saikia say?

While talking to the media, BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia said that ‘There has been no discussion regarding Gautam Gambhir’s Test coaching nor has any other coach been contacted. All such things are just rumours. He also clarified that Gambhir will continue to work with Team India under his existing contract and there are no plans at present for any change in the coaching staff.

BCCI bluntly on social media reports

BCCI Secretary said that the discussions going on in social media and some reports regarding the replacement of Gautam Gambhir have no basis. The board is satisfied with Gambhir’s coaching and no need for any changes is felt.

The report came about VVS Laxman

A report claimed that a BCCI official had informally contacted VVS Laxman after the test series defeat against South Africa. According to the report, he was asked whether he was interested in coaching the Test team.

However, it was also said in the report that Laxman is happy with his current responsibility. He is currently playing the role of Head of Cricket at BCCI’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Gambhir’s contract is safe till 2027

It is noteworthy that Gautam Gambhir’s contract is till the 2027 ODI World Cup. It was also said in some media reports that if Team India’s performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 does not live up to the expectations, then their contract can be reconsidered.

BCCI’s confidence

After the latest statement of BCCI, it has become clear that the board is completely confident about Gautam Gambhir. There are currently no plans for any change in the coaching setup and Gambhir will remain the coach of Team India in all three formats. The board has termed all the ongoing discussions regarding his future as baseless.