A day before South Africa dominates India in the Guwahati Test, the BCCI headquarters hosted an event to welcome a new sponsor, adding ₹45 crore to the board’s already good financial position.
The irony is that India’s home Test record has been worrisome, yet BCCI’s financial position continues to improve.
The Indian cricket team has suffered two defeats in the last three home series – a 0-3 home Test series loss to New Zealand last year and now a 0-2 Test series defeat to South Africa – raising concerns about the current arrangement.
BCCI reviews as Gautam Gambhir’s troubles increase
The BCCI is expected to review the situation with Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar during the upcoming white-ball games. However, the next Test is around eight months away, so Gambhir’s condition is safe for now.
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However, the recent Test matches in Guwahati and Kolkata exposed the weaknesses of India’s batting. The current lineup struggled on both spin-friendly pitches and traditionally turning red-ball tracks. But Gambhir had openly supported the Kolkata pitch despite heavy criticism.
The board is not happy with Gambhir’s recent statements. Despite this, the latest report suggests that Gambhir’s condition is not in danger. He is currently safe, and the split-coaching idea, which could replace him, is currently considered unlikely by the BCCI.
BCCI officials disappointed with Gautam Gambhir’s decisions
However, the Indian head coach’s tactical decisions did not go down well at all among the BCCI officials. Gambhir’s call to drop Washington Sundar at No. 3 in place of Sai Sudarshan to accommodate four spinners on a prepared pitch in Kolkata was controversial.
Players like Sudarshan, Karun Nair and Sarfaraz Khan have been rotated without any clear pattern. It is being said that Sarfaraz, Karun and Ruturaj Gaikwad were suggested to replace injured Shubman Gill for the second and final Test against South Africa, but Gautam Gambhir cited the presence of Devdutt Padikkal.
However, the addition of Padikkal to an already left-handed heavy order eventually led the team management to go with Dhruv Jurel at No. 4, and the return of Nitish Kumar Reddy to the playing eleven. His role in the three Tests played by Reddy is unclear.
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Gautam Gambhir’s fate depends on India’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign
Well, the tactical mistakes and poor planning of chief selector Agarkar and head coach Gambhir demands immediate action. Well, the board is not thinking of strict disciplinary guidelines like the 10-point plan of the previous review to resolve these issues.
But questions remain regarding the cooperation between the selection committee and the team management. Gambhir’s strong influence on decisions, especially under the leadership of Shubman Gill, has been heavily criticized.
If the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 does not go as planned, both Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar could be sacked, as per multiple media reports.
Since the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in Sri Lanka and India, they should think carefully about the home pitch conditions and whether Ranji Trophy pitches should be adjusted to better prepare the batsmen and bowlers for the big games.
