Ex-England star suggests Gautam Gambhir to become a 'Ranji Trophy coach' amid India's poor Test form

Former England spinner Monty Panesar advised Gautam Gambhir to become the coach of a team in the Ranji Trophy. He suggested him to do so in order to learn how to build a team properly when it comes to red-ball cricket. This comes after Team India have gone on to lose many Tests under Gambhir and haven't performed at their best. This includes the series whitewashes at home to both New Zealand and South Africa and the 3-1 deffeat to Australia in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25.

While the team has performed brillianly under Gambhir in white-ball cricket, red-ball cricket has been a completely different story. Panesar labelled the Men in Blue as "weak" when it comes to Test cricket and remarked that it will take time for them to become a strong team in the format once again.

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“Gautam Gambhir is a good coach in white-ball cricket because he has been successful. He could become the Ranji Trophy coach, and he should talk to the coaches who have coached in the Ranji Trophy about how you build a team in red ball cricket. Right now, the Indian team is weak in Test cricket. This is the reality. It’s not that strong. It will take time. When you retire three big players, it becomes difficult to keep the remaining players ready," Panesar told ANI.

Gambhir to be replaced as Test coach?

These comments come amid media reports claiming that the BCCI had held talks with VVS Laxman and had wanted him to become India's Test coach following their defeat to South Africa at home. However, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has debunked all such rumours, stating that the reports are "factually incorrect and baseless."

“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," Saikia said.

India to face New Zealand next

Meanwhile, India do not have any Test series scheduled as of current. Their focus has completely shifted towards white-ball cricket with the 2026 T20 World Cup right around the corner and 2027 ODI World Cup also approaching fast. The Men in Blue will be hosting New Zealand in a three-match ODI and five-match T20I series from January 11.