Key complications seem to have arisen following a very unfortunate debacle of the India defense cricket team in New Zealand. Following the defeat, it appears the BCCI wants to assess the decisions made by the head team coach, Gautam Gambhir, along with the management and the team.
India’s spin savvy home pitches have recently been in the spotlight as a cause for concern due to their tilt in the angle on which they deliver. Gautam Gambhir initiated the demand however this demand came after the team lost to New Zealand where the seam conditions seemed to be even-based. This circumstance has led to problems like the 4-1 defeat where conditions were devoid of seams.
The movement, however, has clearly taken the board by surprise as they have just initiated their new line up. Newer staff members may be difficult to get a hold of when asked of their future planning as it has recently undergone major changes.
The current team’s support staff has been politically appointed by Gautam Gambhir, with duty calls even overlapping major appointments like Abhishek Nayar, Morne Morkel, and Ryan Ten where his focus seemed to be solely on these appointments.
Furthermore, Gambhir’s selection for the forthcoming Australia tour has also raised eyebrows in the board as it’s feared that he may affect the decision from inside. “The BCCI has surrendered to every demand of Gambhir so far,” the source noted.
“In contravention with BCCI’s policy where they seek to develop their own coaches from NCA’s set-up, he has been provided with a support staff of his choice. He has been also permitted to sit through the selection meeting for the purpose of selecting a team for the Australia tour. The board might have to change the stance and ask Gambhir to chart out a way forward”.
The issues are likely to be handled at the BCCI review meeting, which in all probability includes captain Rohit Sharma, Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, where strategy for the direction of the team will be debated upon.
Earlier, agency PTI reported that Gambhir had availed permission to attend the meeting for the selection of the squad for the tour of Australia—an opportunity which was denied to his predecessors, Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid. “Gautam Gambhir was given access which his predecessors; Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid didn’t.
The coaching staff is not allowed in selection committee meetings legally as per BCCI’s rule book. But, for the Australia tour selection meeting M.S. Dhoni was there,” a source of PTI was reported saying.
The meeting is expected to resolve the mystery surrounding the coaching style adopted by Gambhir and whether the current approach is in line with the board’s vision for the national team.