Mumbai: Indian cricket team has had a string of bad performances and the critics have blamed the head coach Gautam Gambhir for it. Since taking charge, Gambhir has overseen five series, of which India lost two: an ODI series against Sri Lanka and a pathetic 3-0 loss in the following TEST series at home against New Zealand. The miseries piled up in New Zealand series have raised more doubts over Gambhir’s strategies and further plans for the Team.
The Indian newspaper Times of India has speculated that Gambhir will face a grilling when the BCCI holds a review meeting to discuss India’s struggle in New Zealand. Other cricket personalities that will be present include captain Rohit Sharma alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar, Gavaskar pointed out that there is no excuse for the defeat especially given the fact that Gambhir has demanded and received several conditions from the BCCI.
In the light of growing controversies the effectiveness of the pitches in Mumbai and Pune will be one of the points in a discussion. After their defeat in the Bengaluru Test, the Indian team readied pitch conditions akin to those in a previous series where their team had struggled – against England. The strategy to return to such kinds of pitches it is stated that was done on the suggestion of Gambhir which might have harmed the team.
The BCCI is seen to have complied to all of Gambhir’s demands including including him in the selection committee meetings for the tour of Australia. I believe that his impact on team selection has been great and the two teams have been hoping for better performances. However, with current poor resultants, it is expected that the BCCI board will pull him up in the next review.
As the pressure builds up on Gambhir, the Indian cricket fraternity has been waiting for the conclusion of the review meeting and further decision that BCCI might take in the matters concerning the coaching team and planning of the future teams.