Gautam Gambhir to continue as India coach; BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla reaffirms

Gautam Gambhir and Rajeev Shukla - (Source: AFP)

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla is the latest to comment on India’s split-coaching debate. The BCCI official has aligned with the views of the secretary and reaffirmed that Gautam Gambhir will continue to perform his role as India's head coach. 

Rajiv Shukla, in conversation with ANI, slammed the recent media reports and rubbished the claims that the board unofficially offered a red-ball head coach role to VVS Laxman. Shukla added that the former India opener will continue to serve as India head coach till 2027 ODI World Cup, which is when his current contract end.

Rajiv Shukla clears the air around Gambhir-saga

"I want to make it very clear regarding the speculation circulating in the media about head coach Gautam Gambhir. The BCCI secretary (Devajit Saikia) has also made it very clear that there is no plan to remove Gambhir or bring in a new head coach for India," Shukla told ANI.

For the unversed, there were reports that after India’s whitewash at home against South Africa in Tests, the board approached CoE head for the red-ball role, but the India legend declined. 

Devajit Saikia confirms Gambhir's job as India coach

The news spread like fire on the internet, which eventually forced the BCCI secretary to come out and refute such claims. 

"We have not spoken to VVS Laxman either officially or unofficially. The BCCI has complete trust in Gautam Gambhir, and no discussion has been held regarding this matter," the BCCI official was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports. 

Things have not been fine for Gautam Gambhir in Tests this year as India have played 19 Tests under Gambhir's era and has emerged victorious in just seven. Interestingly, out of the seven wins, four of them have been against West Indies and Bangladesh.

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