India’s national cricket team coaching setup could be on the verge of a major structural overhaul. A senior member of Gautam Gambhir’s handpicked support staff is expected to part ways with the national team ahead of schedule, despite still having significant time remaining on his contract.
According to The Times of India, the prominent coach in question has already initiated discussions to join a major IPL franchise that operates teams across multiple global leagues, while the long-term future of another key staff member also hangs in the balance.
Tensions Brewing Long Before the Recent Slump
While the news emerges during a difficult phase on the pitch for India—with Shreyas Iyer’s side winless in six matches and suffering back-to-back bilateral T20I series defeats to Ireland and England—reports clarify that these backroom developments have been building quietly behind the scenes for several months.
Key Catalysts for the Coaching Rift
The uncertainty clouding the support staff is reportedly driven by systemic structural issues rather than recent match results alone:
- Dressing Room Cracks: Internal environment issues have reportedly intensified since India’s bruising two-Test series defeat against South Africa at home.
- Selection Committee Friction: Disagreements between the national selection committee and the coaching staff regarding team direction have further complicated the management environment.
Evolution of the Gambhir Support Staff
When Gautam Gambhir assumed the mantle of head coach in July 2024, he was given complete freedom to choose his own backroom personnel. He initially recruited former IPL colleagues Ryan ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar as assistant coaches, later bringing in Morne Morkel as the bowling coach ahead of the home series against Bangladesh. All three individuals signed standard two-year contracts featuring a optional one-year extension.
However, the coaching dynamic has undergone rapid changes over the past year:
| Staff Member | Original Role | Status / Recent Developments |
| Abhishek Nayar | Assistant Coach | Relieved of his duties following India’s successful campaign at the 2025 Champions Trophy. |
| Sitanshu Kotak | Batting Coach | Brought into the fold following Nayar’s exit to stabilize the batting department. |
| Morne Morkel | Bowling Coach | Along with ten Doeschate, faced speculation during past Test-match struggles, with his future now under scrutiny. |
| Sairaj Bahutale | Spin-Bowling Coach | Retained in a full-time capacity, signaling a permanent move toward a restructured spin department rather than acting as a temporary fix. |
Signs of a Parallel Structure?
Speculation regarding the longevity of the current staff intensified after the BCCI chose to send VVS Laxman to spearhead the coaching duties for the short tour of Zimbabwe and the upcoming Asian Games campaign, bypassing Gambhir’s primary coaching group entirely. Given that the full-time staff had a long break during the IPL window, the decision to rest them for a short international assignment raised questions within cricket circles.
Upcoming BCCI Review
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that a high-level review meeting will take place immediately following the conclusion of the white-ball tour of England. However, the board has explicitly clarified that this meeting will strictly address on-field player performances and tactical course corrections, rather than personnel or support staff decisions.
Regardless of the official review’s agenda, the growing likelihood of voluntary support staff departures means the Indian team may present a vastly different look in the dugout before the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.
