India coaching shake-up? Gautam Gambhir support staff member could leave amid dressing room tensions: Report

India coaching shake-up on the cards? Support staff member could exit amid dressing room tensions: Report

The Indian men’s cricket team could be set for a coaching overhaul, with at least one prominent member of Gautam Gambhir’s support staff likely to leave the setup, according to a report by The Times of India.

The report states that it remains unclear whether the possible departure is due to dissatisfaction with the current role or because the staff member is considering a new coaching opportunity elsewhere.

Support staff member could leave before contract ends

According to The Times of India, Gambhir’s coaching group took charge in July 2024, beginning with the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka.

Bowling coach Morne Morkel joined shortly afterwards ahead of the Bangladesh Test series, while the rest of the support staff started alongside Gambhir.

The report says the support staff signed two-year contracts with a one-year extension option, but at least one coach has already held discussions with an IPL franchise and is likely to join them. It also adds that another support staff member leaving in the near future cannot be ruled out.

The Times of India further reported that the development is not directly linked to India’s recent defeats in Ireland and England, but rather stems from issues that have been brewing internally for several months.

Dressing room cracks reportedly widening

According to The Times of India, dressing room tensions have increased since India’s 2-0 home Test series defeat to South Africa, with disagreements between the selectors and coaching staff further complicating matters.

The report also claims that Sai Raj Bahutule’s addition as spin-bowling coach was not a stop-gap arrangement. Bahutule had previously served as interim bowling coach during the 2024 Sri Lanka tour when Morkel was unavailable due to a family emergency.

Zimbabwe tour selection raised eyebrows

The report says the BCCI’s decision to send a different set of coaches for the short Zimbabwe series has also fuelled speculation.

A source quoted by The Times of India questioned why Gambhir-led support staff members were rested despite having worked together for only a handful of assignments.

“I don’t quite understand the need to send VVS Laxman to Zimbabwe. I also do not understand the plan to send him for the Asian Games. There is clearly more than meets the eye, and perhaps the Indian cricket board is exploring options,” the source told The Times of India.

BCCI to review performances, not coaching changes

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed on Friday that the board will conduct a review of the team’s recent performances but insisted that “nothing else will be discussed.”

According to Saikia, the review will focus on India’s performances in the England series and identify areas for improvement ahead of the upcoming ODI series.

Coaching setup could change before Sri Lanka Tests

The Times of India reports that the coming weeks could prove significant if the concerned coaches do not reconsider their plans.

The report adds that the support staff could have a different look as early as the Test series against Sri Lanka, although the timing will depend on whether the BCCI convinces the departing staff member to stay and whether Gambhir wishes to retain the current setup.

Gambhir had reshaped the coaching group ahead of the 2024 Sri Lanka series by bringing in Ryan ten Doeschate, Morne Morkel and Abhishek Nayar, while T Dilip retained his role as fielding coach. Sitanshu Kotak later joined as batting coach before Nayar was relieved of his duties after India’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2025.