BCCI is unhappy with Gautam Gambhir’s support staff, who is likely to take major action soon

India’s poor performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is still in talks as the team continues to be criticized for its poor show in Australia. Head coach Gautam Gambhir’s role has also come under the scanner as the team failed to qualify for the World Test Championship finals for the first time.

Not only Gambhir but also his support staff have not been spared. At the recently held BCCI review meeting, board officials raised questions about the credentials of two assistant coaches of the team, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate.

Gautam Gambhir asked both Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate to India’s coaching staff after being appointed as the head coach. Both have previously worked with Gambhir and the latter knows what to expect from them.

Read also: Devajit Saikia officially takes over Jay Shah’s position at BCCI

Gautam Gambhir’s support staff are facing the heat

According to the Hindustan Times, India’s performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was discussed in the BCCI review meeting. The meeting was attended by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma, newly elected BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of the ICC currently.

The credentials and depth of Gautam Gambhir’s support staff was one of the points discussed in the meeting. The coaching experience of Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate in the longest format of the game was questioned by the board officials.

“Apart from bowling coach Morne Morkel, who comes with a body of work as a Test player, there is a growing opinion within the team set-up that assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate lack experience as a coach, especially when it comes to Test cricket,” the report states.

No test experience for Abhishek Nayar and Ryan has Doeschate

It should be noted that Morne Morkel, who is India’s bowling coach, has played a fair amount of Test cricket for South Africa and his role was not questioned in the meeting. Morkel played 86 Tests in his career, picking up 309 wickets at an average of 27.66.

However, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeshcate have not played a Test match in their career but have good experience in first-class cricket. Nayar has played more than 100 first-class matches, while Ten Doeschate has played more than 200 matches.

When will BCCI take further action?

According to the report, BCCI’s action will be taken after the conclusion of Champions Trophy 2025. More personnel are likely to be added to the coaching staff for India’s tour of England based on their experience.

“There is a possibility of further reinforcements in the coaching staff, those with technical experience for the England tour,” the report states.

The Champions Trophy will start on February 19 and the final of the tournament will be played on March 9. Subsequently, the players will be involved in the IPL season. India’s next Test series will be played on the England tour in June 2025.