Image: The BCCI is considering adding a new batting coach to Gautam Gambhir's staff / © Firstpost
The coaching staff of the Indian team is reportedly under review by the BCCI, with plans to add a new batting coach to Gautam Gambhir’s team. This decision comes after India’s underwhelming performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. India has won only three of their last ten red-ball matches, prompting concerns about the team’s batting stability.
Notably, ace batter Virat Kohli faced repeated dismissals to outside off-stump deliveries, which raised questions about the team’s preparation and approach. Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar criticized the coaching staff, pointing out India’s poor performance, including a 46-run collapse against New Zealand and a series loss in Australia. He said:
What was the coaching staff doing? Batting coach? Against New Zealand, India were bowled out for 46. In the remaining matches, they were not able to do well, and they lost the series. There was no character in the batting order. In Australia too, India lacked solidity in the batting order. We have to ask questions: “Brothers, what did you do? Why is there no improvement?”. If you tell me the bowling was unplayable (in both series) and then our batters were not able to stand up to it, then it’s okay. Even the best players can’t face unplayable bowling. But it was not the case. Tell me, what have you done?
The matter was discussed during a recent BCCI board meeting, though it is unclear whether the board will proceed with the appointment. The current coaching staff includes head coach Gautam Gambhir, bowling coach Morne Morkel, and assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar, Ryan ten Doeschate, and fielding coach T Dilip. The addition of a new batting coach could address the ongoing issues with the team’s batting order.