BCCI officially drops a statement on approaching VVS Laxman as Gautam Gambhir's replacement in Tests

Reports claimed that BCCI was actively searching for Gautam Gambhir’s replacement in red-ball cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia has officially denied reports which stated that Gautam Gambhir‘s position as the red-ball coach was under threat. Reports emerged earlier, claiming former Indian legend VVS Laxman has been approached to replace Gambhir as India’s test coach, following the team’s poor performance recently in the longest format.

India’s recent 0-3 defeat on home soil against South Africa, triggered alarm bells. Gambhir was at the receiving end of massive backlash and criticism. It was also reported that while VVS Laxman was approached for red-ball coaching, the 51-year-old turned down the offer, stating that he is content with his current role of Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

BCCI categorically denies them and has taken no such steps – Devajit Saikia on approaching VVS Laxman as Gautam Gambhir’s replacement in Tests

Speaking to ANI, Saikia brushed aside all rumours, calling them “speculative” and “baseless”. He said:

“The reports currently circulating are entirely inaccurate and purely speculative. Despite being carried by some reputed media outlets, there is no truth to these claims. The BCCI categorically denies them and has taken no such steps. These reports are based on conjecture and imagination, are factually incorrect, and completely baseless.”

“People can think all they want, but BCCI has not taken any steps. This is somebody’s figment of imagination; there is no truth in it, and I cannot say anything except that this is factually incorrect and baseless news.”

Despite the statement, Gambhir will still be feeling the heat. India have lost their invincibility tag at home under his regime, and are struggling on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) table as well. Having won just 7/19 tests, the 44-year-old knows he is living on borrowed time.

However, despite his setbacks in the red-ball format, India have done fairly well in white ball. They thrashed South Africa in the ODI and T20 series, and are now preparing to take on New Zealand in a few days. A massive challenge awaits Gambhir and co. as India prepare to defend their title – the T20 World Cup on home soil, a campaign which could potentially decide the future of India’s current coaching setup.

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