Gautam Gambhir was never BCCI’s first choice as Team India’s head coach

In a stunning revelation, a senior BCCI official disclosed to PTI that Gautam Gambhir was never BCCI’s first choice as Team India’s head coach. The report went on to reveal that Gambhir’s selection as head coach was only a compromise. 

The senior BCCI official stated that since the former Indian batter VVS Laxman and some of the renowned overseas retired cricketers didn’t want to coach Team India across all three formats, Gambhir turned out to be the frontrunner.

"He was never BCCI's first choice (it was VVS Laxman) and some of the well-known overseas names didn't want to coach all three formats, so he was a compromise. Obviously, some other compulsions were also there," a senior BCCI official told PTI.

Gautam Gambhir had a poor run as Team India head coach

Earlier, at the start of last year, when the former coach Rahul Dravid decided not to extend his contract, the BCCI decided to find his replacement and Gambhir emerged as the strong frontrunner to replace Dravid. 

However, the path wasn’t a smooth one for Gambhir since his appointment as the head coach as he faced a lot of challenges during his role.

Unfortunately, as of now, Gautam Gambhir stands on the brink of losing his job as the Indian head coach after the team’s poor show. Under Gambhir, India suffered an ODI series loss in Sri Lanka and also lost to New Zealand at home in a Test series by 0-3.

On the other hand, India is currently trailing the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy by 1-2 after losing to Australia by 184 runs in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). India needs to turn the tables by winning the SCG Test in order to stay in contention for the WTC Final, scheduled to take place later this year at the Lord’s.

In conclusion, the revelation that Gautam Gambhir was never the BCCI's first choice as Team India's head coach highlights the complexities and challenges faced during his tenure. Despite his efforts, Gambhir's stint has been marked by a series of disappointing performances, including an ODI series loss in Sri Lanka and a Test series defeat at home against New Zealand. As India trails in the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy, the pressure on Gambhir to deliver results is immense. The upcoming SCG Test will be crucial for India's chances of staying in contention for the WTC Final.

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