The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a firm denial regarding swirling rumours about the future of Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team. This comes in the wake of speculation following India's recent Test series defeat.
Speculation After South Africa Series
Questions about Gautam Gambhir's position, particularly as the Test coach, gained momentum after the Indian team suffered a whitewash in their recent Test series against South Africa at home. While Gambhir's record in white-ball formats has been solid, the team's performance in the longer format has come under increased scrutiny.
This scrutiny led to widespread media reports suggesting that the BCCI had approached former batting legend VVS Laxman to take over the reins of the Test side, potentially replacing Gambhir. The rumours created significant buzz among cricket fans and analysts across the country.
BCCI's Strong Rebuttal
In a decisive move, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia categorically denied all such reports. Speaking to the ANI news agency on 28 December 2025, Saikia labelled the speculation as "factually incorrect and baseless".
He clarified the board's stance, emphasizing its continued support for Gambhir. "This is totally incorrect news going on. This is totally speculative news," Saikia stated. He further expressed surprise that even reputed news agencies were carrying the story, insisting there was no truth to it.
Saikia attributed the rumours to imagination, stating, "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." He concluded by reiterating that the board denies the reports outright.
Clarity and The Road Ahead
The BCCI's clear statement aims to put an end to the uncertainty and confirms that Gautam Gambhir remains the head coach across all three formats—Tests, One-Day Internationals, and T20Is. The board's public backing is seen as an effort to ensure stability within the team management as they plan for future assignments.
This episode highlights the intense pressure and speculation that follows Indian cricket, especially after a high-profile loss. The BCCI's prompt denial seeks to shut down distractions and allow the coaching staff and team to focus on their upcoming challenges without external noise about leadership changes.
