New Delhi, November 5: The Indian cricket team is reeling from a disappointing 0-3 home Test series defeat to New Zealand, a rare occurrence that has sparked widespread criticism and placed head coach Gautam Gambhir in a challenging position. The defeat has raised concerns within the BCCI, which is expected to review the series loss and evaluate Gambhir’s tactics, particularly around pitch preparation.
Reports suggest Gambhir reverted to the tactic of preparing rank turners on home pitches — a strategy the team had moved away from under former head coach Rahul Dravid. The shift back to turn-friendly pitches was reportedly met with some internal opposition, as Dravid’s era favored pitches that provided more balanced conditions for both teams.
“The decision to go back to rank turners caught a few people in the board by surprise,” a BCCI source told Times of India. “The new support staff under Gautam Gambhir will be asked about their vision for taking the team forward.”
Gambhir, who took charge just three months ago, has already faced setbacks in his tenure. India’s historic 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand was preceded by an ODI series loss to Sri Lanka — their first in 27 years. Gambhir’s strategy and vision have thus come under scrutiny, as he was given a significant degree of influence over team selection and tactical decisions, including a rare seat at the selection table for India’s upcoming tour of Australia.
With pressure mounting, the head coach’s handling of pitches and overall approach will likely be a topic of intense discussion within the BCCI. Without a drastic improvement on the Australia tour, Gambhir’s role could be re-evaluated, potentially reducing his decision-making power moving forward.
The Indian cricket community will be closely watching the team’s performance in Australia, as Gambhir works to realign his strategy in hopes of revitalizing India’s performance on the field.
