The BCCI has dismissed rumors about Gautam Gambhir’s future as India’s Test head coach. Following India’s humiliating home series defeat to South Africa, various reports suggested that the board was considering a coaching change, with VVS Laxman mentioned as a possible successor. However, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has openly denied the rumors, stating that Gambhir will not be removed from his position.
Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid as the head coach of India in July 2024 following his term’s end, has had questions raised over the team’s inconsistent display in Test cricket. The recent home blanking by South Africa was also India’s first Test series loss to the Proteas at home since 2000. It followed a 0-3 home loss to New Zealand last year, marking back-to-back home defeats.
These reports added fuel to rumors that the BCCI was unhappy with India’s Test approach under Gambhir, especially after they failed to make it to the final of the World Test Championship for the first time in history. To allay any apprehension, Shukla released a statement denying that any decision had been made to replace Gautam Gambhir.
“I want to make it very clear regarding the speculation circulating in the media about head coach Gautam Gambhir. The BCCI secretary (Devajit Saikia) has also made it very clear that there is no plan to remove Gambhir or bring in a new head coach for India,” Shukla told as quoted by News18.
India’s next focus remains on limited-overs cricket
Earlier, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had termed the reports as “completely speculative and baseless.” He stressed that the board has not tried to reorganise the coaching set-up and told fans and media not to believe false claims.
Gambhir has experienced nothing but white-ball success in his brief coaching career, with India’s 2025 Champions Trophy victory and their Asia Cup win under his command testament to that. India, under his leadership, have won seven of 19 Tests played, including home series triumphs over Bangladesh and the West Indies and a drawn five-Test encounter in England.
But defeats to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa — especially at home — have raised questions over India’s performance in red-ball cricket. The head coach acknowledged the pressure after the 0-2 series defeat against South Africa and stated that it was up to the BCCI to decide his future.
For now, India’s next priority is limited-overs cricket — particularly retaining their T20 World Cup title. In Test cricket, they aim to tour Sri Lanka and New Zealand in 2026 before hosting a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at home against Australia early in 2027.
