Following India’s 1-3 defeat in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to retain head coach Gautam Gambhir, along with senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, for upcoming assignments.
Despite the series loss and the team’s failure to qualify for the World Test Championship final, the BCCI does not hold Gambhir responsible for the setbacks. A BCCI source stated, “Yes, there will be a review meeting but no firing. C’mon, you can’t sack a coach for the batters’ poor show in one series. Gautam Gambhir will remain the coach, and Virat and Rohit will feature in the England series. The focus is Champions Trophy.”
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both pivotal figures in India’s batting lineup, faced criticism for their underwhelming performances during the series. Kohli accumulated 190 runs across five matches, with only one score exceeding fifty, while Sharma managed just 31 runs in five innings before opting out of the final Test.
When questioned about the future of these senior players, Gambhir refrained from making definitive statements, emphasizing that the decision rests with the individuals. He remarked, “I can’t talk about the future of any player. It is up to them as well. But yes, what I can say is that they still have hunger and passion, they are tough people. Hopefully, they can continue to take Indian cricket forward. But ultimately, as we all know, whatever they plan, it will be in the best interest of Indian cricket.”
Gambhir’s tenure as head coach has seen mixed results, with notable successes in shorter formats but challenges in Test cricket. Under his guidance, India secured a 2-0 home series win against Bangladesh but suffered a 0-3 loss to New Zealand at home, marking their first home-series defeat in 12 years. The recent BGT loss further adds to the scrutiny, as it signifies India’s first failure to reach the World Test Championship Final in three cycles.
Despite these challenges, the BCCI appears committed to maintaining stability within the team’s leadership structure. The upcoming five-match Test series in England, scheduled for June 2025, and the ICC Champions Trophy are seen as opportunities for the team to rebound. The BCCI’s decision to retain Gautam Gambhir, Sharma, and Kohli indicates a belief in their ability to guide Indian cricket through this transitional phase.