BCCI Dismisses Rumors of VVS Laxman as Next Test Coach Amid Gambhir's Struggles
BCCI Refutes Laxman Coaching Speculations
Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has firmly rejected rumors suggesting that VVS Laxman has been approached to take over as the men's Test team coach. He labeled these claims as "factually incorrect and baseless," emphasizing that the board has not initiated any changes in the leadership of the Test team.
Gambhir Under Fire After Disappointing Test Performances
Speculation about Laxman's potential appointment arose shortly after India faced a 0-2 Test series defeat against South Africa at home, marking their second consecutive whitewash in Test cricket. This follows a 0-3 loss to New Zealand last year, which was India's first home Test series defeat in over a decade, signaling a decline in their once-dominant Test cricket legacy, previously upheld by captains like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. The loss to New Zealand also cost India a spot in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final, and the recent defeat to South Africa could jeopardize their chances in future Test matches.
Saikia stated, "This news is completely incorrect. It is speculative and lacks any truth. The BCCI categorically denies these claims. This is merely someone's imagination; there is no basis for it, and I can only reiterate that it is factually incorrect and baseless."
Gambhir's Mixed Coaching Record
Under Gautam Gambhir's leadership, India's performance in limited-overs cricket has been commendable, with victories in the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup T20I. However, the Test results tell a different story, with India winning only seven matches, losing ten, and drawing two during his tenure. The series record shows a promising start with a 2-0 win against Bangladesh, but subsequent defeats against New Zealand and Australia (1-3 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy) have raised concerns.
Despite a thrilling 2-2 draw against England and a 2-0 win against the West Indies, the recent losses to South Africa, including a staggering 408-run defeat, have overshadowed these achievements. India missed their captain Shubman Gill due to injury during these matches, with Rishabh Pant stepping in as captain. Nevertheless, India managed to secure victories in the ODI and T20I series against South Africa, winning 2-1 and 3-1 respectively.
Looking Ahead to the T20 World Cup
India's immediate focus shifts from Test cricket to defending their T20 World Cup title, which they won under Rohit Sharma's captaincy last year. The upcoming tournament, starting on February 7, will see a new team led by Suryakumar Yadav. India will kick off their campaign against the USA in Mumbai and is grouped with Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands in Group A.
The young Indian squad has showcased impressive T20I performances throughout the year, maintaining an unbeaten streak. However, this will be their first T20 World Cup without veterans Rohit and Virat in several years, presenting a unique challenge in front of a home crowd.