BCCI rings alarm bells for Gautam Gambhir's close aid on Australian soil

The Indian cricket team is reportedly facing significant internal strife under the new head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Following India’s crushing defeat in the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne, Gambhir allegedly criticized the players for failing to adhere to the game plan.

Sources claimed that tensions in the Indian dressing room are escalating, with Rohit Sharma’s captaincy also under uncertainty. The Indian skipper is also likely to take a call on his Test future after the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia.

Gautam Gambhir, who took over as India’s head coach after Rahul Dravid's tenure ended following the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, is under intense scrutiny. Gambhir’s time as head coach has been rocky, with Team India facing an ODI series loss in Sri Lanka and a historic Test series defeat at home to New Zealand—India’s first in 12 years under his tenure.

BCCI concerned over professionalism in Gautam Gambhir’s support staff

With India trailing 1-2 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and their hopes of making the WTC Final 2025 hanging by a thread, Gambhir’s leadership and role are being questioned. Now, a report claimed that there is dissatisfaction within the BCCI regarding a key member of Gautam Gambhir's support staff.

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However, the report didn’t reveal the exact name of the Indian support staff. Currently, the Gautam Gambhir-headed Indian support staff has only two overseas coaches: Morne Morkel from South Africa as the bowling coach and Ryan ten Doeschate, a former Dutch cricketer, as assistant coach.

The rest of the coaches are Indians: T Dilip as the fielding coach and Abhishek Nayar is assistant-cum-batting coach of the Indian cricket team. However, the BCCI sources didn’t reveal the name, but it could be either Morne Morkel or Ryan ten Doeschate, while there are slim chances of Abhishek Nayar, as they all have worked as IPL coaches.

Gautam Gambhir's staff under fire as personal assistant seen in BCCI's designated box on Australia tour

It is being said that one of Gambhir’s coaching staff’s assistants used to have FOP (Field of Play) access during the IPL 2024, where he would use the playing field after games in the franchise jersey and he is doing the same thing in Australia.

A PTI report claimed that one of the key members of India’s coaching staff reportedly brings a personal assistant everywhere, raising eyebrows over professionalism within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

But the concerns grew when one of the key members of the support staff was frequently accompanied by his personal assistant wherever he went on the Australia tour. Even the Indian coaching staff's assistant was spotted in a BCCI-designated box on the ongoing Australia tour, which irked the world's richest board.

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Gautam Gambhir's position won't be safe: Report

Adding to the turmoil, Gambhir is said to have a strained relationship with several Indian players. His communication has not been as effective as it was during the tenure of Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid.

As per the PTI report, Gautam Gambhir's future as the head coach of the Indian team is uncertain. The BCCI may make a decision regarding his position if the team's performance doesn't improve after the New Year's Test against Australia in Sydney, starting on January 3, 2025, and the Champions Trophy 2025.

The BCCI source told PTI: “There is a Test match to be played, and then there is the Champions Trophy. If the performance doesn't improve, even Gautam Gambhir's position won't be safe.”