BCCI Denies Plans to Replace Gautam Gambhir as India Test Coach After Whitewash: Reports

The reports from the BCCI thinking about replacing Gautam Gambhir or appointing a new head coach in place of him for the Test format were denied by BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla.

BCCI shuts down rumours about replacing Gautam Gambhir as India’s Test coach

Media reports earlier suggested that former India cricketer VVS Laxman was being approached as India's next Test coach over Gambhir. Media reports came after India lost a 0-2 Test whitewash at home by South Africa under Gautam Gambhir, their second in two successive years after being humiliated 0-3 by New Zealand last year under the same coach.

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Gautam Gambhir Batsman

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India Founded: 1926

The India National Cricket Team represents India in international cricket and is one of the strongest teams in the world.

The New Zealand whitewash ended India’s chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final, despite India earlier looking strong and secure. Now, South Africa’s recent setback could also hurt their hopes of qualifying for the main one-time Test final, depending on how upcoming results unfold.

#WATCH | Delhi: Dismissing reports that the BCCI board is considering replacing or appointing a new head coach in the Test format in place of Gautam Gambhir, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla says, "I want to make it very clear regarding the speculation circulating in the media… pic.twitter.com/PKNQYpilP5

— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2025

Earlier, speaking to reporters, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board has not taken any steps to change the leadership group in the longest format of the game.

"This is completely incorrect news being broadcast. This is completely speculative news. Some of the most reputable news channels are also carrying this news. There is no truth to it. BCCI immediately denies it. People can believe whatever they want, but BCCI has not done anything. This is someone's imagination; there is no truth to it, and I am not saying anything except that it is completely incorrect and baseless news," said Saikia.

India shifts focus to T20 World Cup 2026 as young team gets ready for a new test at home

Currently, India faces their biggest challenge in white-ball cricket in defending their T20 World Cup title won under Rohit Sharma's captaincy a year ago, in a new look now headed by Suryakumar Yadav in the upcoming event starting from February 7.

India will begin their tournament against the USA on the same day in Mumbai and are set to face Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA in Group A.

Though the young Indian side has shown the golden standard of playing T20I cricket for the better part of the year with the undefeated series, playing their maiden World Cup without the familiar presence of the regulars like Rohit and Virat for the first time in several years would be a new test for the players. In front of a home crowd would be an interesting challenge.

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Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal Play Vijay Hazare Trophy Ahead of India vs New Zealand ODI Series Two of India’s top cricket stars, Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal, will play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the coming days.

by Shekhar December 29, 2025