BCCI backs Gautam Gambhir despite India’s Test losses [Photo: X]
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to take any immediate action against head coach Gautam Gambhir after India’s recent Test series defeat to South Africa. A senior board official clarified that the BCCI will review the team’s performance only after the upcoming ICC events, stressing that the team is currently in a “transition phase.”
This comes a day after Gambhir said the decision on his future rests entirely with the BCCI. Facing questions after India suffered their second home Test whitewash in 12 months, Gambhir reiterated that Indian cricket must remain the priority.
“It is up to the BCCI to decide. I said it in my first press conference when I took over as the head coach that Indian cricket is important; I am not. And I sit here sticking by the same thing…” Gambhir said. He also reminded that he was the same coach under whom India won the Champions Trophy, drew the Test series in England and won the Asia Cup.
India’s 2–0 loss to South Africa marked their third Test series defeat in a year under Gambhir. Before this, India lost 3–0 to New Zealand at home and 0–2 to Australia away. The only home Test series wins in Gambhir’s tenure have come against Bangladesh and the West Indies.
The recent defeats have raised alarms within Indian cricket. Critics have questioned India’s selection calls, batting collapses, and the strategy of preparing spin-heavy pitches that eventually backfired. India failed to score even a single century in the two-Test series against South Africa.
“The BCCI will not rush in taking any decision, the team is in a transition phase,” a senior board official said. “As far as coach Gautam Gambhir is concerned, we will not take any decision on him as the World Cup is around the corner and his contract is till the 2027 World Cup. The BCCI will speak to selectors and team management going ahead, but there won’t be any knee-jerk action.”
Gambhir acknowledged India’s repeated batting failures. He described the collapse from 95 for 1 to 120 for 7 in the second Test as a key turning point. The coach defended his team but took responsibility for the performance.
“Everyone in that dressing room—and it starts with me—is accountable,” he said after the defeat in Guwahati.
The BCCI’s stance signals a shift toward long-term planning rather than immediate reactions. Officials believe India’s young core needs time to settle, especially with multiple ICC events lined up over the next two years. The board wants to avoid the instability that comes with frequent leadership or squad changes.
Once the South Africa series formally ends, the BCCI will hold discussions with selectors, but major personnel changes are unlikely. The current group of players is expected to continue for the upcoming assignments.
