Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, has come under scrutiny following a series of lackluster performances that have cast doubts over the team’s direction and morale. The spotlight intensified after India’s 0-3 defeat in the home Test series against New Zealand, leaving them on the brink of missing the World Test Championship final. With an upcoming Test match in Sydney and the Champions Trophy in February-March, Gambhir’s position appears increasingly precarious.

A strained transition period

Gambhir assumed the role of head coach in July, succeeding Rahul Dravid, who had guided India to a T20 World Cup victory in June. Tasked with overseeing a period of transition, Gambhir’s tenure has so far been marked by inconsistent performances, including an ODI series loss to Sri Lanka and a disappointing run in Australia, where India trails 1-2 in the Test series.

Communication gaps and player insecurity

Reports from the Press Trust of India (PTI) suggest that Gambhir’s leadership style has led to unease within the team. The report highlights a lack of effective communication compared to the tenures of previous coaches Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid. While skipper Rohit Sharma has reportedly maintained individual discussions with players on selection issues, some team members feel the clarity provided under Gambhir’s leadership is insufficient.

The report further claims that constant experimentation with the playing XI has left players feeling insecure about their positions. A senior BCCI official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Gambhir’s assertive approach has not resonated well with a core group of players, especially those neither seasoned veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma nor new entrants like Harshit Rana and Nitish Reddy.

Selection challenges and BCCI concerns

Gambhir’s relationship with the selection committee has also come under the scanner, with reports suggesting ambiguity and differing opinions on team strategy. The BCCI official acknowledged that Gambhir was not the board’s first choice for the role, noting that VVS Laxman had initially been preferred, but logistical challenges and other considerations led to Gambhir’s appointment.

Champions trophy as the litmus test

The immediate focus remains on the final Test in Sydney, where a loss could confirm India’s exit from the World Test Championship final. However, the Champions Trophy looms as a critical test for Gambhir. A senior BCCI source hinted that if India’s performance doesn’t improve in the tournament, Gambhir’s role could face significant changes or even termination.

“His position is under review, and if the team doesn’t show marked improvement, the BCCI will have to reevaluate its strategy,” the source stated.

A time for turnaround

As the Indian cricket team prepares for pivotal challenges ahead, the pressure is on Gambhir to restore confidence, stabilize team dynamics, and deliver results. The coming weeks will not only define his tenure but could also shape the immediate future of Indian cricket.

In a surprising turn of events, Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is expected to be ‘rested’ for the upcoming fifth Test against Australia, set to begin Thursday in Sydney. Reliable sources suggest that fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will take over the captaincy in Sharma’s absence.

Rohit Sharma, who has been struggling for form in the ongoing five-match series, has only managed a total of 31 runs across three matches. His performance has been a concern, particularly following his absence from the first Test, during which he chose to stay with his family after the birth of his second child. Since rejoining the squad, however, he has failed to make an impact with the bat, leaving questions about his fitness and readiness for the final match.

Adding fuel to the speculation, head coach Gautam Gambhir declined to provide a definitive answer on Sharma’s participation during the pre-match press conference on Wednesday. When questioned about the likelihood of the captain playing in Sydney, Gambhir responded ambiguously, emphasizing that the decision would be made based on the pitch conditions.

“We will assess the pitch and make a final call tomorrow,” Gambhir stated, steering clear of confirming Sharma’s position in the playing XI. “Everything is fine with Rohit, and there is no major issue. The head coach’s presence should suffice for today’s presser,” he added.

The Sydney Test holds critical importance for India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, with the team trailing 1-2 in the series. A win in this final Test is essential for India to keep their dreams alive, with the outcome also dependent on results from the ongoing series between Australia and Sri Lanka later this month.

India’s unexpected defeat in Melbourne has placed the team’s WTC fate in jeopardy, and now, all eyes are on the Sydney Test to determine whether they can salvage their chances.

The quartet of shooter Manu Bhaker, chess world champion D Gukesh, men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar were on Thursday named recipients of this year’s Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor.

Manu Bhaker, at 22 years old, made history as independent India’s first athlete to secure two medals in a single Olympic edition, achieving bronze in both the 10m air pistol individual and the 10m air pistol mixed team events during the Paris Olympics in August.

This announcement followed a week of controversy surrounding her nomination, which had initially been overlooked. Bhaker later acknowledged a potential “lapse” on her part in the nomination process, stating, “I believe there has been a lapse, possibly on my part, while filing for the nomination, which is being corrected. Irrespective of the award, I shall remain motivated to win more medals for my country. I kindly request everyone not to speculate on this matter.”

At the Paris Olympics in August, Bhaker made history by becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympic edition, clinching bronze in both the individual 10m air pistol and the 10m air pistol mixed team events.

In the same Olympic Games, Harmanpreet Singh led the Indian hockey team to its second consecutive bronze medal. D. Gukesh, at just 18 years old, became the youngest chess world champion and contributed significantly to India’s historic gold medal victory at the Chess Olympiad last year.

The fourth recipient, Praveen Kumar, was recognized for his remarkable achievement in the Paris Paralympics, where he earned the T64 high-jump title. The T64 classification is designated for athletes who have one or both legs missing below the knee and who use a prosthetic leg for running.

The awardees will be honored by the President of India during a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM, as announced by the sports ministry in a press release. “The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organised function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 17th January, 2025 (Friday) at 1100 hours,” the sports ministry said in a press release.