Gautam Gambhir And His Coaching Staff Should be Ready to Answer Tough Questions From BCCI | Opinion

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Calm before the storm should not be mistaken as peace. Indian cricket is in turbulence, if not turmoil. The BCCI has delayed naming the team for the Champions Trophy. It is not without reason, the blue-riband event is important for India as well as the credibility of the BCCI.

It is expected Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be part of the squad, though coach Gautam Gambhir, himself, will be asked tough questions by the BCCI bosses soon. If Gambhir and his incompetent coaching staff think their roles are not under the scanner, it is to the contrary.

One loss is fine, but to lose an ODI series in Sri Lanka, a Test series to New Zealand at home and then get smashed in the BGT Series, this is not what the BCCI hired Gambhir and his motely mix for.

For those who think it is Kohli and Rohit under the scanner, as far as white ball cricket is concerned, they will sail through and be in the Champions Trophy squad. As regards their Test future, that will be discussed by the BCCI bigwigs later. The focus is now on the Champions Trophy.

It is shocking that nobody is saying one word on Jasprit Bumrah, vis a vis his back injury. For those who are being fooled and think he has a 'back spasm,' it is much more serious. What is shocking is that the coach, captain and the entire BCCI management is tight-lipped.

What is well-known, Bumrah for the Champions Trophy is next to impossible. Reports are coming in he was over-bowled in the BGT Series. There was no workload management. "His back has been broken, his load was just too much," said a former fast bowler.

"How much cricket is he going to play, every format. This is just merciless and the way people have kept quiet is shocking," he said. "It hurts, a fast bowler who should have been managed well and even been part of the CT squad now has to rest and recover," he said.

It is confirmed Bumrah consulted the same surgeon who had operated on his back in Christchurch in New Zealand in March 2024. So, if in nine months Bumrah has been over-bowled, the coach is also at fault.

Gambhir is under fire and his PR machinery will not work. His arrogance reeks. His inability to keep the dressing room a happy place is now out in the open. Even former KKR players are now lashing out at him. This negativity is out in public domain for good reason, Gambhir does not communicate properly. He should know, between him and Rohit, who has more clout.

There is nothing called long run. Gambhir and his assistants will go to the Champions Trophy in Dubai. A failure there will see his exit. When Gambhir came in July 2024, he was celebrated. Talk to any former cricketer or a coach who is qualified, they laugh at Gambhir.

"He has never done formal coaching," they say. And if someone says he is BJP, don't take it seriously. He was an ex-MP, which means nothing. Today, as head coach, he is a failure. He can be axed as well. To be sure, the BCCI is facing multi problems, a series of losses, loss of face and how the best fast bowler in the world Jasprit Bumrah has been treated without care.

Last but not the least, the BCCI has not forgotten India failed to make it to the ICC Test Championship final. It hurts. If there is a perceived complacency in the BCCI, don't be fooled. They don't want to have a coach who is a failure. Comparisons will be made with Gambhir's predecessors, Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid.