Gautam Gambhir’s position under threat as plan to ‘dismantle superstar culture’ hits roadblock, seniors angry
Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team will be questioned if the team fails to deliver in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, Gambhir’s contract runs until the 2027 World Cup, but the BCCI is reportedly keeping a close watch on the performance of the new coach and will accordingly accept the call.
A senior BCCI official has claimed that Gautam Gambhir’s position as India’s head coach is not guaranteed if the Men in Blue fail to post a convincing result in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said Gambhir has not produced any significant results to impress the board.
Gautam Gambhir’s job in danger if India fail in ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Notably, the Indian cricket team has lost six of its 10 Test matches and the bilateral ODI series against Sri Lanka since Gambhir took over from Rahul Dravid after the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
A senior BCCI source told PTI, “If India is not successful in the Champions Trophy, the position of head coach may become untenable. Yes, his contract runs until the 2027 World Cup, but the evaluation process continues. Sport is result oriented and Gambhir has not produced any tangible results so far.”
Meanwhile, the BCCI has already reviewed India’s performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia and during the meeting it was revealed that there are differences between Gautam Gambhir and the senior players in terms of team culture.
Gautam Gambhir on a mission to end the “superstar culture” in Indian cricket
Gambhir is determined to end the “superstar culture” that has been part of Indian cricket for years. The source highlighted the no-nonsense approach of the Indian coach recalling how the former Kolkata Knight Riders captain dropped Brendon McCullum from the IPL final despite his star status in 2012.
However, Gambhir’s approach of prioritizing team performance over individual status has reportedly angered some senior players. It is also said that the Indian head coach was not happy with some of the senior players making special demands regarding hotels and training schedules on the Australian tour.
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The source further remarked, “Gambhir wants to end the superstar culture that has prevailed for so many years. As captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012, he dropped Brendon McCullum from the playing XI for the IPL final against CSK. He came here to dismantle the superstar culture and that’s what made some of the playing members uncomfortable.”
Why was Gambhir PA sitting in a car designated for national selectors? BCCI questions
On the other hand, the BCCI is reportedly miffed by the constant presence of Gambhir’s personal assistant accompanying the coach throughout the Australian tour. A BCCI official strongly condemned Gambhir’s PA using the team members’ premises.
A BCCI official signed off saying, “Why was his PA sitting in a car designated for national selectors? I can’t even talk privately with an unknown third person in the car. Why was he allotted space at the BCCI Inn in Adelaide? How did he eat breakfast inside a five-star facility that’s only for team members?”
