BCCI rejects reports of VVS Laxman replacing Gautam Gambhir as Test coach
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed reports linking VVS Laxman to India’s Test coach role, calling them baseless amid recent Test setbacks under Gautam Gambhir.
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has strongly denied reports claiming that former India batter VVS Laxman was approached to take over as India’s next Test coach. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed the claims, calling them “factually incorrect and baseless,” and clarified that there is no plan to change the Test team’s leadership.
The rumors gained momentum after India suffered a 0–2 home Test series loss to South Africa under current head coach Gautam Gambhir. This came soon after last year’s 0–3 whitewash against New Zealand at home, which ended India’s long unbeaten home Test run and ruled them out of the ICC World Test Championship final.
Following the South Africa defeat, India’s Test future has come under scrutiny again, with their chances of reaching the next World Test Championship final now depending on upcoming series results.
Saikia Calls Coaching Rumours “Speculative and Untrue”
Speaking to ANI, Saikia firmly rejected the speculation. He said, “This is totally incorrect news going on. This is totally speculative news. Some very reputable news agencies are also flashing the news. There is no truth to it. BCCI straight away denies.” He added that the board has not taken any steps to change the Test coaching setup.
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Saikia further stated, “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.” While India’s Test performances have declined, the team has enjoyed strong success under Gambhir in limited-overs cricket, winning the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup T20I without losing a match. In contrast, India’s Test record under him stands at seven wins, 10 losses, and two draws.
India started Gambhir’s Test tenure with a home series win against Bangladesh and later secured a 2–2 draw in England under young captain Shubman Gill. However, losses to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa triggered concerns, particularly with the retirement of top players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Currently, India looks to defend the T20 World Cup title beginning February 7 against the USA with Suryakumar Yadav.
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