BCCI unhappy with Gautam Gambhir, set to question India’s coach on pitches and vision ahead of Australia tour

Indian cricket coach Gautam Gambhir is set to be quizzed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The 43-year-old has been under constant fire from all quarters after the 3-0 series loss to New Zealand recently. According to reports carried by the Times of India, Gambhir is set to be quizzed by the board soon. 

The reports stated, “The decision to go back to rank turners caught a few people in the board by surprise. The new support staff under Gautam Gambhir will be asked about their vision for taking the team forward”. 

Many members of the Indian board aren’t happy because the team management opted for turning tracks. India had won the games playing on good and sporting tracks during Rahul Dravid’s tenure. The most recent example was during the series against England earlier this year which India won 4-1. 

Are BCCI and the Indian coach already at loggerheads?

According to reports doing the rounds, the decision to name Nitish Kumar Reddy for the Australian was entirely Gautam Gambhir’s. It is thought that many on the board wanted Shardul Thakur in the team. The 33-year-old was one of the stars during India’s win in Australia during the last tour. 

The source in the know was quoted by as Times of India as saying, “The BCCI has agreed to every demand of Gambhir so far. He has been given a support staff of his choice despite BCCI's policy of promoting coaches they have groomed through NCA's programme. He has also been allowed to attend the selection meeting to pick the team for the Australia tour. The board may have to revisit its decisions and ask Gambhir for a roadmap."

Meanwhile, former Indian stalwart Sunil Gavaskar has slammed Gambhir’s poor start to his coaching stint. Gavaskar said, “The results speak for themselves. Even in Sri Lanka, India lost an ODI series after a long time. And now here, it's a loss, it's a terrible loss. So, I think the results speak for themselves”

PTI reported that the board will be looking to curb some of the powers that Gambhir has been bestowed. “Gautam Gambhir was given access which his predecessors Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid didn't have. The BCCI's rule book doesn't allow coaches to be a part of the selection committee meetings, but for the Australia tour selection meeting, an exception was made.”