India’s recent 3-0 loss to New Zealand in the Test series didn’t go down well with the BCCI. Recent reports emerged that Gautam Gambhir could be removed as the red-ball captain if India falters in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. But former India Cricket Team batter Aakash Chopra claimed the reports to be absolute rumours.
It was claimed that VVS Laxman would be given the charge of Test cricket. This means split coaching would come into action with Gambhir handling India in the white-ball formats only. But Aakash Chopra has dismissed all the reports claiming them to be baseless.
No Split Captaincy for Team India
“I feel it is an absolute rumour. This news seems absolutely baseless that if Team India doesn’t perform well in Border-Gavaskar Trophy, then change the coach. Have different coaches for different formats. I’d say it’s a little too soon. I see this rumour being floated around with malicious intent. Gambhir has just been made the head coach. It does not happen like this that if players are not performing, fire the coach. This is not the way. I do not agree with this thinking at all. I am discarding this kind of report,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
The India Cricket Team‘s next assignment is the much anticipated IND vs AUS Test series. A lot is at stake and only a 4-0 win can see Rohit Sharma and Co automatically making it to the WTC Finals.
While Aakash Chopra claimed the rumours of split captaincy to be baseless, he claimed that accountability is also there. Since the BCCI has given everything that Gambhir asked for, it is only natural that the coach will be answerable after the team’s poor performance in the last series.
“Whatever Gautam asked for, the BCCI gave him. Publicly, Gautam had said in the past that Team India should have Indian coaches but when he asked for Ryan ten Doeschate and Morne Morkel, the board agreed. When Gautam asked for senior players in Sri Lanka, the board said yes to it. Liberty was given in making pitches as well. When so much happens, then accountability is obvious,” he concluded.
