The Indian team is currently playing in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. After winning the first match at Perth, India has struggled to maintain their form, failing to win any matches since. The series now has only one match left, the final game in Sydney. However, the issues run deeper than the team's current performance.

The decline in performance reportedly began in June after India won the T20 World Cup under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid. Following that success, Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the new head coach. His tenure started with the ODI series against Sri Lanka, where the core Indian team suffered a shocking 2-0 clean sweep loss.

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Things only got worse after that. The Indian team faced another setback when they lost a home series against New Zealand. This result was especially surprising, given India's dominance in home conditions. Despite winning the Perth Test in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the team's struggles continued, culminating in a disappointing loss in the fourth Test at Melbourne.

After the Melbourne loss, reports from Indian Express highlighted growing tensions within the dressing room. Sources revealed that players were feeling increasingly uncomfortable under Gambhir's coaching style. There were reports of dissatisfaction regarding communication issues, with some players questioning team selections and their roles. The environment, as described, was not conducive to positive team dynamics, which added to the pressure on the coach and the squad.

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According to a new report by PTI, these problems have existed since Gambhir's appointment. Players and the coach are reportedly not on the same page, unlike the previous coaching tenures of Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri. During their time, there was better communication about team selection and playing XI decisions. Players now feel insecure about their place in the team due to constant experimentation.

BCCI Official Says Gambhir's Position is at Risk

A senior BCCI official, speaking anonymously to PTI, stated that if India's performance does not improve in the upcoming Champions Trophy, Gambhir's position as head coach may not be secure. “There is already talk about replacing certain players,” the official revealed, adding that even some senior figures in the team could face exclusion if poor performances continue. The official also mentioned that VVS Laxman was the board's first preference for the head coach role. However, Laxman opted to continue working with junior players at the U19 and NCA levels, stating that he wasn't interested in taking on the responsibility for the senior team right now. Efforts to bring in foreign coaches also failed, as many were not willing to handle all three formats.

The Champions Trophy, scheduled for February-March, is seen as a critical test for Gambhir. If India does not show significant improvement, the board may consider changes in leadership. For now, Gambhir and the team remain under immense scrutiny.

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