From the ongoing discussion on social media, it may seem that Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach is about to end, but the ground reality seems to be different. Despite 6 consecutive T20I defeats in the ongoing UK tour, the former India opener is likely to continue as the head coach of the India national cricket team.
While the team’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, may leave the team after the conclusion of the ongoing India vs England ODI series, with Gautam Gambhir’s Team India job reportedly safe, some reshuffles in his support staff are possible in the near future.
Gautam Gambhir is all set to remain the head coach of the Indian national cricket team.
Subsequently, India’s poor form in the two Twenty20 format series against Ireland and England and the possible departure of Ryan ten Doeschate raised questions over Gautam Gambhir’s future. Despite the noise on social media platforms, the former Indian cricketer is all set to continue his work, RavSportz reported.
Gambhir’s original contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expired after the 2026 T20 World Cup. Due to the team’s success, the board extended his contract, allowing him to remain as head coach until the 2027 ODI World Cup.
BCCI may discuss Gautam Gambhir’s future with an eye on the next T20 World Cup
Later, through discussions, the board will decide whether to keep Gambhir in the post or not as India will be preparing for the 2028 T20 World Cup and the LA20 Olympics. Media reports have claimed that with the support of top officials of the board, Gautam Gambhir is enjoying his job as the head coach of the national cricket team.
“However, according to an informed source, Gautam Gambhir has the support of top BCCI officials. As of now, the former India opener is safe,” the RevSportz report said.
The report further added, “Gambhir’s contract runs until next year’s 50-over World Cup. Whether he is given a one-year extension till the LA28 Olympics and the 2028 T20 World Cup is a matter for the future. However, the 44-year-old has the backing of the powers that be to extend his contract.”
It has also been reported that the results of the bilateral series will not put Gautam Gambhir’s job in jeopardy, as the board may give more priority to ODI and Test cricket over the T20I format as the team heads towards another ODI World Cup in 2027, and is eyeing a place in the final of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
BCCI is giving priority to most ICC events
T20I performance can only be considered when the team participates in ICC events and other multi-nation tournaments, where, in the past, the Men in Blue have proved their dominance during the Asia Cup and then the 2026 T20 World Cup.
“The BCCI will not judge him solely on performances in bilateral T20Is. First of all, the shortest format is low on the priority list for Indian cricket at the moment, with the World Test Championship (WTC) and the 2027 ODI World Cup being given priority.”
“Secondly, as far as T20Is are concerned, the head coach will be evaluated primarily on the basis of the team’s performance in ICC events and other multi-national tournaments,” the report claimed.