IND vs AUS: Is Gautam Gambhir's position in jeopardy? Report raises concerns about head coach's future with Team India

Since India's defeat in the fourth Test match against Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, tensions have been running high within the team. Speculations have arisen regarding a rift between Team India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir and some of the players. Notably, certain senior players in the squad are seeking clarity on their roles after being dropped from the playing XI.

According to reports from PTI, communication between the team management and the players has deteriorated significantly since Gambhir assumed the role of head coach. This breakdown in communication is unprecedented, as it never occurred under the leadership of Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri.

The Men in Blue have suffered defeats in five out of their seven Test matches, casting doubt on their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. Their last hope lies in winning the fifth and final Test match at the SCG.

A source within the BCCI has indicated that if Team India's performance does not improve, Gambhir's position will come under scrutiny. The pressure is on for the team to deliver a strong performance in the upcoming match.

“There is a Test match to be played and then there is Champions Trophy. If the performance doesn’t improve, even Gautam Gambhir’s position wouldn’t be safe," a senior BCCI official told PTI.

He also revealed that the board preferred former legendary batter VVS Laxman to be India's next head coach and that Gambhir was just a "compromise".

“He (Gambhir) was never BCCI’s first choice (it was VVS Laxman) and some of the well-known overseas names didn’t want to coach all three formats, so he was a compromise. Some other compulsions were also there," the official revealed.

The support staff of Team India is currently facing significant pressure due to one of its members bringing personal assistance to all venues. This individual has also been taking advantage of Field of Play access during the IPL, allowing him entry to the playing area after matches.

Some board members have expressed dissatisfaction with his presence in the box. The team, led by Rohit Sharma is currently trailing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series by 2-1 and is in a must-win situation heading into the fifth and final Test match. A loss in this match would not only result in the hosts winning the series for the first time since 2014 but also qualifying for the 2025 WTC summit clash.

South Africa has made history by becoming the first team to qualify for the WTC final.

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