India head coach Gautam Gambhir faced a lot of criticism after the team's losses in big Test bilateral contests like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the Test series against South Africa. The Proteas clean-swept India 2-0 at home. This came after India lost 3-0 to New Zealand at home under Gautam Gambhir's coaching in 2024.
The defeats in the longest format of the game have raised serious question marks about Gambhir's credibility as Test coach. Amid all this, there were reports that right after India's abject surrender against South Africa in the two-Test series at home last month, someone who matters in the cricket board had once again informally approached VVS Laxman to check if he would be interested in coaching the red-ball team.
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However, in the exclusive conversation with Sports Tak, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia denied all the rumours.
"It's all rumours. We haven't discussed or approached anyone. He will continue as per the contract," Saikia told Sports Tak.
Gautam Gambhir's upcoming assignment
Gambhir, who was alongside Team India during the South Africa series, will now be seen with the team in the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to start from January 11. Both teams are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I series. Notably, this will be India's last T20I assignment before the T20 World Cup 2026, hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
India's upcoming Test assignment
India will now play a one-off Test against Afghanistan, which will take place from June 14 to 18 on their home soil. India also have a couple of overseas assignments comprising two Tests each against Sri Lanka in August 2026 and a tour of New Zealand in October, before hosting Australia for a five-Test affair in January-February 2027.