Devajit Saikia, the BCCI Secretary, has denied the ongoing media speculations regarding the firing of Gautam Gambhir as Team India head coach. Previously, it was revealed that the board considered Gambhir ineffective, particularly in Tests, after the Indian squad suffered setbacks against Australia in an away series while being whitewashed by South Africa and New Zealand.
Notably, reports in the media confirmed that Gambhir will continue to coach India just in white-ball forms, with someone taking over in Test cricket. VVS Laxman, the head of the Centre of Excellence, was rumored to be the favorite for the position, which the former India cricketer disputed, as he has before. Now, Saikia has also disputed the charges.
“This is totally incorrect news going on. This is totally speculative news. Some very reputed news agencies are also flashing the news. There is no truth to it. BCCI straight away denies. People can think all they want, but BCCI has not taken any steps. This is somebody’s figment of imagination; there is no truth in it, and I cannot say anything except that this is factually incorrect and baseless news,” said Saikia as quoted by Times Now.
India to reveal squad for New Zealand ODIs
In the meantime, Gambhir will remain as Indian coach for the upcoming series against New Zealand and after that T20 World Cup 2026. The squad for the three-match ODI series against the Black Caps will be announced on or before January 4 (Sunday) when the Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee meets.
Wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan is expected to replace his Under 19 teammate Rishabh Pant in the ODI side for the first time in more than two years, as per reports. Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, meanwhile, may return to professional cricket after recovering from a serious injury he suffered in the Australia series.
