Ex-BCCI president throws big decision at Gautam Gambhir, split-coaching call now in his hands

Former Team India captain Sourav Ganguly has backed head coach Gautam Gambhir during the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The former BCCI president said that Gautam Gambhir is doing a very good job during the tournament and added that building a strong team requires constant involvement from the coach.

Gautam Gambhir has won major titles in limited-overs cricket, but the team has struggled to deliver in the longest format, including on home soil. Gambhir became head coach right after India’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. The Men in Blue went on to win the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup in 2025.

However, results in Test cricket have raised concerns. India suffered two home Test series whitewashes, losing to New Zealand in 2024 and to South Africa last year. India drew an away Test series in England. Discussions have begun around split coaching, with separate coaches for Tests and white-ball formats.

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India Must Beat West Indies to Reach T20 World Cup Semifinals

India began the T20 World Cup 2026 by winning all four group-stage matches and reached the Super Eights. However, they suffered a heavy 76-run loss to South Africa in the Super 8 opener, which put their semifinal hopes under pressure.

The Men in Blue bounced back with a 72-run win over Zimbabwe in a Super 8 match in Chennai on Thursday, February 26. After two matches, India have two points with a net run rate of -0.100, keeping their qualification chances alive.

To reach the semifinals, India must beat the West Indies in their final Super 8 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1. The clash will act as a virtual quarterfinal, as the winner will move into the semifinals. A win will take India to four points, while the West Indies will finish with two.

Gautam is doing a very good job- Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly said that any decision around the team will depend on Gautam Gambhir. The batting great dropped this statement on the talks of split coaching in Indian cricket. Ganguly added that staying closely involved with players is essential and that consistency in leadership plays a key role in long-term success.

"Gautam is doing a very good job. He'll do for a while. Depends on the coach and what he wants (on split coaching). If you want to make a team, if you want to get players, you have to be with them all the time. You cannot leave them to someone and then come back, and go in and go out," Ganguly said in an interview on 'Free Hit by LegaXy'

Gautam Gambhir is a strong character - Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly described Gautam Gambhir as a strong character who is clear about his ideas inside the dressing room. Ganguly added that coaching styles change from person to person.

"Gautam is a strong character. He will be clear on his ideas in the dressing room. John Wright was different, Rahul Dravid was different, so I am sure it changes," Ganguly stated.

Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as head coach of India’s senior men’s team. Before this, he worked as a mentor in the IPL. Lucknow Super Giants reached the playoffs twice, while Kolkata Knight Riders won their third title in the 2024 season.

Also read: Virender Sehwag brutally trolls Pakistan over 'impossible' semi-final qualification scenario