In a significant development following the retirements of former India Test captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli from red-ball cricket, India head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly requested complete authority over the team from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
According to a report by Dainik Jagran, Gambhir aims to reshape the team’s culture and prepare a squad for the future, with young players at the forefront.
The retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, announced just before India’s squad selection for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, have paved the way for Gambhir to implement his strategy.
Also read: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's Grade A+ Contract To Continue After Test, T20I Retirements
Gautam Gambhir to Call the Shots as He Steers India’s Young Brigade in Test Format
Gambhir, who took over as head coach of Team India in 2024, has been vocal about dismantling the superstar culture that he believes has dominated Indian cricket for years.
The Dainik Jagran report highlights Gambhir’s introduction of a 10-point diktat, mandating players to participate in domestic cricket when available and adhere to specific behavioral standards during international tours.
The report claims that Gambhir, along with chief selector Ajit Agarkar, played a pivotal role in Rohit and Virat’s Test retirement. With the duo stepping away from the format, Gambhir is reportedly set to lead the team into a new era with Shubman Gill as a likely candidate for Test captaincy.
Gill, despite being groomed as a future leader, lacks the stature to challenge Gambhir’s decisions at this stage. His relative inexperience and lack of major leadership accolades mean he is expected to align with Gambhir’s vision.
"In order to stop a repeat of the home-series defeat against New Zealand and the debacle in Australia, Gambhir has requested the board for full autonomy," the report read.
Jasprit Bumrah emerges as the only figure in the current Test set-up with the authority and reputation to potentially counter Gambhir’s tactics. The report notes that Bumrah, who partly led India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, was a strong contender for the Test captaincy. However, concerns over his fitness and the need to manage his workload as India’s premier fast-bowler made Bumrah rule himself out of contention for the leadership role.
England Test Series Crucial for Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir is poised to wield significant influence over India’s Test set-up. As India prepare for the challenging tour of England, starting June 20, all eyes will be on Gambhir and how he navigates the transition phase.
As his authority appears unchallenged for now, scrutiny will also increase.
Also read: Rohit and Kohli’s Retirement Has Left a Leadership Void – R Ashwin
