However, Laxman declined the offer, expressing satisfaction with his role at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Gambhir’s contract with the BCCI extends until the conclusion of the 2027 ODI World Cup, but this could be reassessed if India’s performance in red-ball cricket does not improve.
“There is no plan to remove Gautam Gambhir”: Rajeev Shukla denies reports of a coaching change in Tests
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Within the BCCI, there is ongoing debate regarding Gambhir’s suitability to lead the red-ball team through the upcoming nine Tests of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
Having drawn a five-Test series 2-2 in England, India faces two overseas series consisting of two Tests each against Sri Lanka in August 2026 and New Zealand in October, followed by a five-Test home series against Australia in January-February 2027.
“Gambhir has considerable support within the influential circles of Indian cricket, and if India retains the T20 World Cup or at least reaches the final, he will likely continue in his role. However, it will be intriguing to see if he remains involved with Tests as well,” a BCCI source shared with PTI on condition of anonymity.
“His advantage is that there aren’t many alternative candidates for the red-ball format, especially since VVS Laxman isn’t keen on coaching the senior Test team,” the source added.
The current Indian dressing room atmosphere is fraught with uncertainty, with players feeling less secure under Gambhir’s leadership compared to the defined roles during Rahul Dravid’s era.
During Dravid’s three-year tenure, players were given ample opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities.
Shubman Gill’s exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad appeared to bear Gambhir’s influence, leading many players to worry that if the next star could be sidelined, anyone could face the same fate.
The BCCI is known for its cautious approach to policy decisions, and with the T20 World Cup concluding, there will be two months dedicated to the Indian Premier League.
Decision-makers within the BCCI will have ample time to make an informed decision regarding possible split coaching or maintaining a single coach across formats, following an assessment of India’s performance at the tournament.
In the upcoming months, the focus will be on ‘Guru Gambhir,’ even though he has support within the BCCI.
(With PTI inputs)
First Published: Dec 29, 2025 6:07 PM IST
