After South Africa’s loss, the BCCI approached VVS Laxman to replace Gambhir as coach

However, reports suggest that the India great has refused to take the position as India’s coach.

GautamGambhir serves as the head coach of Team India and has been contracted until the end of the 2027 World Cup. Despite this, according to reports, the BCCI approached VVS Laxman to replace GautamGambhir as coach.

BCCI seems not to be quite convinced with GautamGambhir as Test coach.

Gambhir has been receiving flak for quite some time as the head coach, especially following the home Test series whitewash against South Africa, and he instantly pointed to his record in white-ball cricket. “I’m the same guy who won the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup as well,” Gambhir reminded critics, with both triumphs coming in limited-overs formats. However, a fresh PTI report revealed that in the “BCCI corridors, the jury is still out on whether Gambhir is the right person to remain at the helm of the red-ball team.” The report stated that in the wake of the 0–2 loss against South Africa last month, India’s second home whitewash in the past 12 months, both under GautamGambhir’s tenure as head coach, former India cricketer VVS Laxman was “once again informally approached” to assess his interest in coaching the red-ball team.

Laxman reportedly declined the BCCI’s offer.

The BCCI had offered the role of red-ball team coach to VVS Laxman. However, Laxman declined the offer once again, stating that he was content to continue as the Head of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The BCCI’s move came despite Gambhir being contracted until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup. The report, however, added that there remains a strong possibility the board could revisit the arrangement, particularly with the T20 World Cup on the horizon. Notably, India still has nine Tests remaining in the ongoing 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle, where they have slipped to sixth place.

A BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity, “Gambhir does have (a) strong backing within the power corridors of Indian cricket, and obviously, if India retain the T20 World Cup or at least reach the final, he would be seamlessly continuing with his assignment. However, it would be interesting if Gambhir continues in Tests too.” The source added, “His advantage being (that there) aren’t too many alternate options in red ball format since VVS Laxman isn’t interested in coaching the senior Test team.”