The Indian cricket team could be set for changes in its coaching staff, with at least one senior support staff member expected to leave. According to a latest report by the Times of India, the possible exit comes during India's tour of England and could lead to a wider reshuffle of Gautam Gambhir's support staff.
The BCCI is expected to review the current coaching setup before India's tour of Sri Lanka in August. Meanwhile, a second-string support staff led by VVS Laxman will take charge of the team for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe later this month and the 2026 Asian Games in September and October.
Team India coaching staff members likely to leave after England T20I series
Gautam Gambhir took charge as India's head coach in July 2024 during the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. Ryan ten Doeschate and T Dilip joined the support staff from the start, while Morne Morkel came on board before the Bangladesh Test series later that year.
According to a Times of India report, the coaching staff signed a two-year contract with the BCCI, with an option to extend it by one more year. However, the report claimed that one senior support staff member has already held talks with an IPL franchise that also has a global presence. Other than that, one more coach is likely to leave the Indian support staff very soon.
"It is understood that the support staff had signed a 2+1 contract with the BCCI. While the cricket board and the coaches have the option of extending their tenure by one year after the initial two-years, it is understood that at least one coach has already held discussions with an Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise with a global presence and is likely to join their setup," the report stated.
BCCI's Coaching Plans Under Fresh Scrutiny
The report stated that the possible departures are not directly linked to India's recent T20I defeats in Ireland and England. Instead, they are believed to stem from internal issues that have developed within the team's support staff over the past few months.
The BCCI has already appointed a separate coaching staff for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe. National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman will lead the team in Zimbabwe before taking charge of another Indian squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The report also claimed that some officials have questioned the decision to rest Gautam Gambhir's support staff for the Zimbabwe tour. Notably, the coaches had already received a lengthy break during IPL 2026.
"I don't quite understand the need to send VVS Laxman to Zimbabwe. I also do not understand the plan to send him for the Asian Games. There is clearly more than meets the eye, and perhaps the Indian cricket board is exploring options," the source said on Gautam Gambhir-led support staff.
Gautam Gambhir's Support Staff Has Already Seen Changes
Gautam Gambhir has already made several changes to his support staff since taking over from Rahul Dravid. He initially brought in trusted colleagues, including Abhishek Nayar and Sitanshu Kotak, to strengthen the coaching setup across formats.
However, the support staff has already undergone changes. Abhishek Nayar left the national team after India's 2025 Champions Trophy triumph, while Sitanshu Kotak took over as the batting coach.
The BCCI also appointed Sairaj Bahutule as the permanent spin-bowling coach. Bahutule had earlier worked with the team during the 2024 Sri Lanka tour when Morne Morkel missed the series because of a family emergency.
