Gautam Gambhir’s position under threat as plan to ‘dismantle superstar culture’ hits streets, seniors angry
Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team will be reassessed if the national team fails in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, Gambhir’s contract is valid till the 2027 World Cup, but the BCCI is reportedly he is keeping a close eye on the new coach’s performance and will take a call accordingly.
A senior BCCI official has claimed that Gautam Gambhir’s position as India coach is not guaranteed if the Men in Blue fail to produce a convincing result in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said Gambhir has not produced significant results to impress the panel.
Gautam Gambhir’s job in jeopardy if India fail in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Notably, the Indian cricket team has lost six of its 10 Test matches and a bilateral ODI series against Sri Lanka since Gambhir took over from Rahul Dravid after the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
A senior BCCI source told PTI, “If India do not do well in the Champions Trophy, the position of the coach may become untenable. Yes, his contract runs until the 2027 World Cup, but the evaluation process continues. Sports is result oriented and so far, Gambhir has not given any tangible results.”
Meanwhile, the BCCI has already reviewed India’s performance in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia and during the meeting, it emerged that there are differences between Gautam Gambhir and the senior players regarding the team culture.
Gautam Gambhir on a mission to end ‘superstar culture’ in Indian cricket
Gambhir is determined to end the ‘superstar culture’ that has been a part of Indian cricket for years. A source highlighted the Indian coach’s no-nonsense approach, recalling how the former 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 irked some senior players. It is also said that the Indian coach was not happy with some senior players making specific demands regarding hotels and training schedules on the Australia tour.
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The source further noted, “Gambhir wants to end the superstar culture that has been prevailing for so many years now. As the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012, he had dropped Brendon McCullum from the playing XI for the IPL final against CSK. He came here to break up the culture of superstars and that’s what has caused some members who are playing uncomfortable.”
Why was Gambhir PA sitting in the car designated for national selectors? BCCI Questions
On the other hand, the BCCI is reportedly irritated by the constant presence of Gambhir’s personal assistant accompanying the coach throughout the Australia tour. The BCCI official criticized the way Gambhir’s PA used facilities for the team members.
The BCCI official signed off saying, “Why was his PA sitting in the car meant for national selectors? They can’t even discuss things in private with an unknown third person in the car. Why was he allotted space in the BCCI hospitality box in Adelaide? How did he eat his breakfast in the restricted area of a five-star facility that was just reserved for team members?’
2025-01-14 13:10:00
