The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will reportedly review the performances of the India cricket team players and the coaching staff following the series loss against England. On Thursday, the Men in Blue led by Shreyas Iyer, extended their losing steak as they were handed a 9-wicket thrashing by England in the ENG vs IND 4th T20I, thereby losing the series as well. Following back-to-back series losses, the BCCI has decided to review the performances of the team, indicating that harsh calls could be taken in the future.
End of Gambhir’s tenure as coach?
As per news agency ANI, a BCCI source claimed the board is set to assess the performance of the players and the members of the coaching staff. Currently, the coaching staff comprises of head coach Gautam Gambhir, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, bowling coach Morne Morkel, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, fielding coach T Dileep, and Strength and Conditioning (S&C) coach Adrian le Roux. The BCCI source claimed that Gambhir’s role has come under the scrutiny of the board after the series losses against Ireland and England. It is pertinent to point out that the head coach’s current contract runs up till 2027.
India are yet to win a T20I game ever since they lifted their 3rd T20 World Cup title back in March. First, they etched their names in the wrong side of history by losing to Ireland in a T20I series for the first time. Next, they lost three back-to-back games against England, registering their second consecutive series defeat.
The Men in Blue were expected to start the new era under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer with a bang but have fared miserably thus far. Team selection, tactics and form has been a major concern for the Men in Blue in the overseas conditions. In fact, the back-to-back series loss has fuelled critics who have also questioned the rationale behind replacing T20 WC-wining captain Suryakumar Yadav with Shreyas just after the former led them to the title win earlier this year. Apart from this, coach Gambhir and the new captain have also been called out for questionable selection tactics.
Talking about the England series, the ENG vs IND 1st T20I was abandoned due to rain. The hosts emerged victorious in the 2nd T20I, thanks to Jacob Bethell’s heroics with the bat and Ravi Bishnoi’s miserable bowling. In the third T20I, India were bowled out for just 76 runs as they registered their biggest defeat in T20Is – a 125-run loss. This was followed by the 9-wicket loss in Bristol on Thursday.
Cricket
Gautam Gambhir's role as India coach in danger, BCCI to scrutinize performance after series loss to ENG
