The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to review the coaching staff under head coach Gautam Gambhir following India’s disappointing performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The review meeting, held in Mumbai on Saturday, raised concerns over the credentials of assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, particularly in the context of Test cricket.
With the Champions Trophy around the corner, the Indian team’s recent struggles have put Gambhir’s support staff in the spotlight. The BCCI is expected to take action after the tournament ends.
Concerns Raised Over Coaching Staff’s Expertise
During the meeting, attended by key figures like chief selector Ajit Agarkar, captain Rohit Sharma, BCCI secretary-elect Devajit Saikia, and ICC chairman Jay Shah, the depth of Gambhir’s coaching team came under discussion.
While bowling coach Morne Morkel received praise for his Test cricket experience, there were growing concerns about the lack of technical expertise in other areas. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate were highlighted as areas of concern.
“Except bowling coach Morne Morkel, who comes with a body of work as a Test player, there is a growing opinion within the team set-up that assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate are lacking in coaching expertise, particularly when it comes to Test cricket,” the report stated.
India’s Recent Struggles Under Gambhir
India’s poor run of form in recent months has put the coaching staff under pressure. It began with a 0-2 ODI series defeat in Sri Lanka and was followed by a shocking 0-3 whitewash at home in a Test series against New Zealand.
The recent 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy further added to the scrutiny. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar openly criticized the team’s performance on live television, while former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar raised concerns about Virat Kohli’s persistent off-stump issues.
Selection Issues Also Brought Up
Another key point discussed during the meeting was the lack of coordination between the selection committee and team management. The decision to not use players like Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran during the Australia tour was questioned.
“There is a possibility of more reinforcements in the coaching staff, those with technical expertise for the tour of England,” the report added. The BCCI is likely to make changes before India’s next big assignment in England.
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