BCCI conducts extensive review meeting with Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma after New Zealand series defeat

New Delhi: Following India's surprising 0-3 defeat to New Zealand, the BCCI held a comprehensive review to analyze the key factors contributing to the team's performance. The meeting included discussions on the controversial decision to prepare a rank turner for the Mumbai Test, the choice to rest Jasprit Bumrah, and the coaching methods employed by Gautam Gambhir. In attendance were team captain Rohit Sharma, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gambhir (attending remotely), BCCI secretary Jay Shah, and president Roger Binny.

The BCCI review also delved into various decisions made by the team management during the series, with particular focus on Gautam Gambhir’s coaching style, which contrasts significantly with his predecessor Rahul Dravid, and how the team is adjusting to this change.

“It was a six-hour marathon meeting, which was obviously on cards after such a debacle. India are going on a tour of Australia, and the BCCI would obviously like to ensure that the team is back on track and would like to know how the think-tank (Gambhir-Rohit-Agarkar) are going about it,” a senior BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The BCCI officials were reportedly unhappy with the decision to rest pace spearhead and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah for the third Test, as well as the choice to play on a rank turner after the team had been defeated on a similar surface in Pune.

“Bumrah’s absence was discussed, although it was a precautionary move. Opting for a rank turner despite India not faring well on these tracks are some of the issues that came up for discussion,” the source informed.

The trio—Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar, and Gautam Gambhir—were asked to provide suggestions on potential corrective measures. While it remains unclear if Gambhir’s coaching style was directly questioned, it is understood that some members of the Indian team think tank are not fully aligned with the chief coach’s approach.

The selections of T20 specialist all-rounder Nitish Reddy and rookie pacer Harshit Rana, with only 10 Ranji Trophy matches to his name, have sparked some disagreement within the selection panel. The Indian team is set to depart for Australia in two batches on November 10 and 11.