‘No plan to remove Gautam Gambhir from Test cricket’:BCCI Vice-president Rajeev Shukla quashes speculated reports; says, ‘Want to make it very clear’

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strongly denied media reports suggesting a possible change in India’s Test coaching setup. Speculation had emerged after India suffered a 0-2 Test series whitewash at home against South Africa, raising questions about the future of head coach Gautam Gambhir in the longest format. BCCI Vice-president Rajeev Shukla also made it clear as earlier board secretary Devajit Saikia made it confirmed yesterday. Reports had claimed that former India batter VVS Laxman was approached to replace Gambhir as the Test coach. These rumours gained momentum following India’s second consecutive home whitewash, after a 0-3 loss to New Zealand last year, also under Gambhir’s tenure. However, senior BCCI officials have now put an end to these claims, clearly stating that the board has no intention of removing Gautam Gambhir or appointing a new Test coach. BCCI Officials reject speculation over Gautam Gambhir Reacting to the reports, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla made it clear that the news circulating in the media is false. Speaking to ANI, he said: “I want to make it very clear regarding the speculation circulating in the media about head coach Gautam Gambhir. The BCCI secretary (Devajit Saikia) has also made it very clear that there is no plan to remove Gambhir or bring in a new head coach for India,” Earlier, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also dismissed the rumours in strong terms: “This is totally incorrect news going on. This is totally speculative news. Some very reputed news agencies are also flashing the news. There is no truth to it. BCCI straight away denies. People can think all they want, but BCCI has not taken any steps. This is somebody’s figment of imagination; there is no truth in it, and I cannot say anything except that this is factually incorrect and baseless news,” Test setbacks and WTC concerns India’s recent Test defeats have raised concerns, especially after the New Zealand whitewash cost India a place in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final. The latest home loss to South Africa could also impact India’s chances of qualifying for the WTC final, depending on upcoming results. Despite these setbacks, the BCCI has made it clear that there will be no immediate changes to the Test coaching leadership. Focus shifts to T20 World Cup starting on 7 Feb For now, India’s major focus shifts away from Test cricket to the T20 World Cup, where the team will defend their title won under Rohit Sharma last year. The upcoming tournament will be led by Suryakumar Yadav and begins on 7 February.. India will open their campaign against the USA in Mumbai and have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli absent from the T20 setup, the young Indian side faces a fresh and exciting challenge in front of the home crowd.