The Indian cricket team may be set for a change in its coaching staff, with at least one senior support staff member expected to depart. According to a latest report in Times of India, the possible exit comes during India’s tour of England and could lead to a massive reshuffle in 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, the second-line 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’s coaching staff members are likely to leave after the England T20 series
Gautam Gambhir took over as the head coach of India during the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in July 2024. Ryan ten Doeschate and T Duleep joined the support staff from the start, while Morne Morkel came on board ahead of the Bangladesh Test series later that year.
According to the report of Times of India, the coaching staff has signed a two-year contract with BCCI, which has also been given the option to extend it for one more year. However, the report claims that a senior support staff member has already held talks with an IPL franchise, which also has a global presence. Moreover, another coach is likely to leave the Indian support staff soon.
“It is understood that the support staff had signed a 2+1 contract with the BCCI. While the cricket board and coaches have the option to extend 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 the setup,” the report said.
BCCI’s coaching plans are being re-examined
The report adds that the possible departures are not directly linked to India’s recent T20I defeats in Ireland and England. Instead, it is believed that these 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 T20 series against Zimbabwe. National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman will lead the team in Zimbabwe Before taking charge of another Indian team for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The report also claims that some officials have questioned Gautam Gambhir’s decision to rest his support staff for the Zimbabwe tour. It is noteworthy that the coaches had already got a long break during IPL 2026.
Regarding the support staff led by Gautam Gambhir, the source said, “I don’t understand the need to send VVS Laxman to Zimbabwe. I also don’t understand the plan to send him for the Asian Games. Obviously there is more than meets the eye and perhaps the Indian cricket board is exploring options.”
Changes have already been seen in Gautam Gambhir’s support staff.
After replacing Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir has already made several changes in his support staff. He initially roped in trusted colleagues including Abhishek Nair and Sitanshu Kotak to strengthen the coaching setup across all formats.
However, there have already been changes in the support staff. Abhishek Nair left the national team after India’s 2025 Champions Trophy win, while Sitanshu Kotak took over as batting coach.
BCCI also appointed Sairaj Bahutule as the permanent spin-bowling coach. Bahutule had previously worked with the team during the 2024 tour of Sri Lanka when Morne Morkel missed the series due to a family emergency.