Tussle continues between BCCI and Gautam Gambhir as board rejects head coach's 5th coaching staff suggestion

India's new head coach Gautam Gambhir was appointed into his role just a few days ago. But the tussle had already started between the board and the new head coach when the board started rejecting Gambhir's options for his new coaching staff. Recently, the BCCI rejected the name of Morne Morkel, whose name was suggested by Gambhir for the role of bowling coach.

Gautam Gambhir was appointed as Team India's head coach on July 9. Gambhir was given a free hand in selecting his coaching staff as has been the case with the previous head coaches too.

Rahul Dravid, who ended his tenure after the completion of T20 World Cup 2024, was also given a free hand in choosing his coaching staff. As a result, Dravid brought in Paras Mhambrey and T Dilip as bowling coach and fielding coach respectively. Dravid had worked with both Mhambrey and Dilip at the NCA before and knew about their capabilities.

Also read: Hardik Pandya can still edge out Suryakumar Yadav for India T20I captaincy if...

Tussle continues between BCCI and Gautam Gambhir as Board rejects the new head coach's fifth offer

According to a report in the Economic Times, former South African fast bowler Morne Morkel was chosen by Gautam Gambhir for the role of India's new bowling coach but BCCI has rejected the offer. Morkel has previously worked as Pakistan's bowling coach during the ODI World Cup 2023 and is currently associated with IPL team Lucknow Super Giants in the same role.

Morkel was Gambhir's third pick for the role. He had earlier picked Laxmipathy Balaji and Vinay Kumar for the role but the board did not approve them in the first round of discussions.

Earlier, Gautam Gambhir had also picked Ryan ten Doeschate and Jonty Rhodes for the role of fielding coach but the board rejected these offers as well. As a result, five picks of the coaching staff made by Gautam Gambhir have been rejected by the BCCI so far.

Former India cricketer Abhishek Nayar is the only one to be in a favorable position to join India's coaching staff. Nayar's name was recommended by Gambhir and the BCCI is also positive about his inclusion in the coaching staff. However, his role is not yet confirmed.

If Nayar doesn't join as an assistant coach, he is likely to come in as the batting coach of the team. Nayar is credited with transforming the careers of some excellent cricketers like Dinesh Karthik and Shreyas Iyer. Karthik, who was out of Team India for a long time, was able to make a comeback as a finisher and made a name for himself while batting down the order.

Change in BCCI's approach?

According to a report in The Economic Times, there has been a change in BCCI's approach this time around. While the Board gives a free hand to the head coach to select the coaching staff, it has not been the same this time around.

"One insider has suggested that this was one way in which BCCI was letting Gambhir know that although he was its choice for head coach, he was not going to be the one calling the shots," the report said.

It further added, "There was also a school of thought that suggested that this was only reflective of the change in the functioning of BCCI. Where previously decisions were taken largely by committee and consensus, it's an open secret that the power is now centred around few individuals."