The BCCI held an in-depth review of India’s surprising 0-3 loss to New Zealand at home, addressing various factors, including the selection of a rank turner for the Mumbai Test, resting Jasprit Bumrah, and Gautam Gambhir’s coaching approach.
The meeting was attended by captain Rohit Sharma, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gambhir, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, and president Roger Binny, with Gambhir joining online.
Discussion on team management decisions
The meeting focused on several key decisions made during the series, including Bumrah’s absence from the third Test, despite it being a precautionary move. The selection of a rank turner after India’s poor performance on a similar pitch in Pune was also questioned.
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Gambhir’s coaching style under scrutiny
There were talks on Gambhir’s coaching style, which differs significantly from his predecessor Rahul Dravid, and how the team is adjusting to it. It is unclear if Gambhir’s style was explicitly questioned, but some members of the team’s think tank are reportedly not entirely aligned with his approach.
Concerns over selections and Australia tour preparations
The meeting lasted six hours and was expected after the heavy loss. The BCCI emphasized the need to get back on track before India’s tour of Australia. The selection of T20 specialist Nitish Reddy and rookie pacer Harshit Rana, with only 10 Ranji matches, also raised concerns. The Indian team will depart for Australia in two batches on November 10 and 11.
Gautam Gambhir’s coaching stint with India
- July 2024: Gambhir was appointed as Team India’s head coach.
- ODI Series Loss to Sri Lanka: India faced their first ODI series loss to Sri Lanka in 27 years during Gambhir’s early tenure.
- Some success against Bangladesh: In October 2024, India beat Bangladesh 2-0 in Test series and then 3-0 in the T20I series.
- 3-0 Whitewash Against New Zealand: India faced a heavy 3-0 loss to New Zealand in the Test series at home, the first time in history they lost a home test series of 3 matches.