The Indian cricket team has made headlines for unwanted reasons, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, known for his no-nonsense approach to the discipline. Gautam Gambhir has reprimanded bowling coach Morne Morkel for being late to practice during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
The BCCI vice-president recently dismissed rumors of disagreements between the coaches, captains and selectors, but another new incident from the recently concluded Test series has come to light. The issue was reportedly brought to BCCI’s attention during a meeting held on January 11.
Gautam Gambhir has publicly reprimanded bowling coach Morne Morkel
According to The Times of India, Gautam Gambhir reprimanded bowling coach Morne Morkel during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Morkel was late for training due to a previous personal meeting, which led to Gambhir confronting him on the ground, in front of the team.
“Gambhir is very strict about discipline. He immediately reprimanded Morkel on the field. The committee was told that Morkel was a bit reserved during the rest of the tour. It is up to these two to sort it out to allow the team to function smoothly,” said a BCCI source- and for TOI.
Assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate under BCCI scrutiny
The BCCI is evaluating the team’s support staff after the 1-3 loss to Australia. The report adds that batting coach Abhishek Nayar and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate are under scrutiny for their role in the team’s failure.
The BCCI is reportedly considering limiting support staff contracts to 2-3 years to ensure accountability. Additionally, the board actively seeks feedback from senior players to gauge the effectiveness of the support staff in contributing to the team’s success.
“The batting coach Abhishek Nayar is especially under the scanner. Gambhir himself was a successful batsman. The board asked the players if Nayar brings anything new to the table. Doeschate’s role is similarly debated. His lack of international experience and ability to contribute to the performance of an international cricketer is being questioned,” the source added.
“The board believes that loyalty issues arise after coaches spend a lot of time with the team. But he has benefited from a side-arm specialist offering pitches,” the source said.
BCCI to decide Gautam Gambhir’s future after 2025 Champions Trophy.
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, the Indian cricket team faces several challenges, on and off the field. Gautam Gambhir’s strict disciplinary approach, coupled with increased supervision of the coaching staff, underscores the struggle to create a high-performance environment.
As Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel have a long history together, they are expected to resolve all issues ahead of the Champions Trophy, which is being played in Pakistan and Dubai. The tournament will be a key factor in determining the future of Gambhir and his coaching staff.
