BCCI 'Approached' Laxman For Test Coaching After South Africa Series Loss Under Gautam Gambhir. He Rejected Offer: Report

[sage]

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/vvs-laxman-informally-approached-by-bcci-as-jury-stays-out-on-gautam-gambhir-as-test-coach-after-south-africa-debacle-101766848060525.html

 

When Gautam Gambhir was asked last month to weigh in on his future amid growing calls within the BCCI for split coaching following the home Test series whitewash against South Africa, 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.

 

BCCI is not quite convinced with Gautam Gambhir as Test coach

 

The BCCI, for its part, chose to remain quiet on the chatter, assuring Gambhir of support until the end of his contract in 2027. 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 Gautam Gambhir’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.

 

This was the second time the BCCI had sounded out Laxman for the role. The first instance came last year, when Rahul Dravid’s tenure was nearing its end and Gambhir emerged as the lone strong contender to succeed him.

However, Laxman declined the offer yet again, stating that he was content continuing 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 have nine Tests remaining in the ongoing 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle, where they have slipped to sixth place.

 

"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," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

"His advantage being (that there) aren't too many alternate options in red ball format since VVS Laxman isn't interested in coaching senior Test team," the source added.

 

[Chaos]

Telugu power n rosham 

[vvvslaxman]

Chandrakanth pandit anyone? Can he work with seniors?  Praveen amre is okay right?  

[Serpico]

Anil kumble again. Redemption for him 

[Lone Wolf]

Indian ex players know the reality of third class domestic structure especially folks like Laxman who are within the system.

Great decision from him.

 

India needs a foreign coach.  Justin Langer will suit this Test side very much

 

[kosingh]

Laxman isn't doing a great job with NCA, under 19 and India A. Not sure he is the guy.

[Gollum]

Why not Chandrakant Pandit. Him as head coach, Amre batting coach, Bharat Arun or TA Sekhar as fast bowling coach, Sriram spin coach (he was earlier part of Aussie setup), and get some young guy as fielding coach...anybody but T Dilip.

 

Time to roll out the domestic stalwart coaches. At least they will have a fix for our home woes.  

Edited December 28, 2025 by Gollum

[Gollum]

GG limited to white ball coaching is good for everyone including him. Let him focus all his energies on helping us sweep ICC trophies. His AR centric approach, flexibility in batting order, batting depth, L-R obsession etc. can work much better in white ball.

 

But BCCI should also put more curbs on him, his biased treatment for/against some players is hurting Indian cricket. Shocking to read that him and Agarkar were pushing for Gill's inclusion in T20 WC squad, only stopped by RP and Ojha. 

Edited December 28, 2025 by Gollum

[Suhaan]

3 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

Indian ex players know the reality of third class domestic structure especially folks like Laxman who are within the system.

Great decision from him.

 

India needs a foreign coach.  Justin Langer will suit this Test side very much

 

System is as intact as anything,thing is T20 cricket is given too much preference 

Aus,Eng,Ind have started playing more high SR players in redball ,no one is interested to grind it out

Everyone is trying to look cool and be a hero in T20 style be it in BGT,Ashes or Ind-Eng

Test cricket needs dedicated players or this is heading towards 2 days extended t20s

Domestic structure needs rewamp but it has been like this for years and it is no excuse for getting whitewashed at home by the likes of Harmers,muthuwamys,ajaz patels etc

Test cricket truly needs is dedicated craftsmen willing to fight, absorb pressure, and value the long game, otherwise the ultimate test will fade into nothing more than a flashy highlight reel

[Suhaan]

3 hours ago, Gollum said:

Why not Chandrakant Pandit. Him as head coach, Amre batting coach, Bharat Arun or TA Sekhar as fast bowling coach, Sriram spin coach (he was earlier part of Aussie setup), and get some young guy as fielding coach...anybody but T Dilip.

 

Time to roll out the domestic stalwart coaches. At least they will have a fix for our home woes.  

Chandrkant is 70+,he can't be national coach as per BCCI rules

Edited December 28, 2025 by Suhaan

[Talkie]

Nothing great by Laxman. Why can't BCCI be brave enough to contact someone with a proven track record? If Moody, Hesson, Andy Flower have previous commitments, they should go with Ponting in worst case scenario. 

[Gollum]

7 minutes ago, Suhaan said:

Chandrkant is 70+,he can't be national coach as per BCCI rules

Chandrakant Pandit is 64 bro. Bharat Arun 63, Amre 57.

 

Ancelotti is 67 and will be Brazil's head coach in next year's FIFA WC, their first ever foreign appointment. Coaches often mature/peak as they get older and more experienced, look at Belichick. 

 

BCCI should modify such stupid rules. 

 

Time to trust our domestic stalwarts to fix our test team. 

[Suhaan]

Just now, Gollum said:

Chandrakant Pandit is 64 bro. Bharat Arun 63, Amre 57.

 

Ancelotti is 67 and will be Brazil's head coach in next year's FIFA WC, their first ever foreign appointment. Coaches often mature/peak as they get older and more experienced, look at Belichick. 

 

BCCI should modify such stupid rules. 

 

Time to trust our domestic stalwarts to fix our test team. 

I know ,but don't think his work style will be at sync with these players heard he's a hard task master ,won't take much time to take a Kumble like turn 

[Gollum]

4 minutes ago, Suhaan said:

I know ,but don't think his work style will be at sync with these players heard he's a hard task master ,won't take much time to take a Kumble like turn 

IMO now is the right time to appoint a no-nonsense task master. We don't have any established superstar who can make BCCI dance to his tunes like 2017 Kohli. Another difference being that not only was Kohli a powerful figure, but also we had the CoA jokers running the show when Kumble was ousted. 

Edited December 28, 2025 by Gollum

[Suhaan]

3 minutes ago, Gollum said:

IMO now is the right time to appoint a no-nonsense task master. We don't have any established superstar who can make BCCI dance to his tunes like 2017 Kohli. Another difference being that not only was Kohli a powerful figure, but also we had the CoA jokers running the show when Kumble was ousted. 

All I want is a good dressing room environment for our fairly young test cricketers,if he's a typical headmaster like figure so be it,but don't let the environment get toxic 

[Manucrick]

18 minutes ago, Suhaan said:

I know ,but don't think his work style will be at sync with these players heard he's a hard task master ,won't take much time to take a Kumble like turn 

I think we need  task master type coach in test cricket 

[cowboysfan]

let's face the fact that the talent is just not there for Test cricket in India,we are still playing Jaddu even though he can't bowl well now and FTB Gill is our freaking Captain. 

[lemsip]

1 hour ago, Manucrick said:

I think we need  task master type coach in test cricket 

That's how we ended up with Gambhir. I'd rather have someone with some experience of coaching at the top level rather than a media/political creature who was handed the top job based mainly on vibes.

[Manucrick]

8 minutes ago, lemsip said:

That's how we ended up with Gambhir. I'd rather have someone with some experience of coaching at the top level rather than a media/political creature who was handed the top job based mainly on vibes.

Then we need a coach from sena Moody is best choice

[diga]

BCCI has strict rules for coach including international playing experience and person below 60. Someone like shukri conrad won't even qualify here

 

 

 

Maybe Ashwin is not a bad choice... Aware of modern methods and also some connect with the players.