India’s lackluster performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is still in the talks as the team continues to be criticized for its poor show in Australia. The role of head coach Gautam Gambhir too has come under the scanner as the team failed to qualify for the World Test Championship final for the first time ever.
Not only Gambhir but his support staff haven’t been spared as well. In the BCCI review meeting held recently, the board officials raised questions on the credentials of two assistant coaches of the team, Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate.
Gautam Gambhir asked for both Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate in India’s coaching staff after he was appointed the head coach. Both of them have previously worked with Gambhir and the latter knows what to expect from them.
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Gautam Gambhir’s support staff faces heat
According to the Hindustan Times, India’s performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was discussed in the BCCI’s review meeting. The meeting was attended by the chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Rohit Sharma, BCCI’s newly-elected secretary Devajit Saikia, and the former BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the ICC chairman currently.
The credentials and the depth of Gautam Gambhir’s support staff was one of the points discussed in the meeting. The coaching expertise of Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate in the longer format of the game was questioned by the board officials.
“Except 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 are lacking in coaching expertise, particularly when it comes Test cricket,” the report claimed.
No Test experience for Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate
It is to 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 wasn’t 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 haven’t played a single Test match in their career but have a fair amount of experience in first-class cricket. Nayar has played more than 100 first-class matches while Ten Doeschate has played more than 200 games.
When will BCCI take further action?
According to the report, the action by the BCCI will be taken after the conclusion of the Champions Trophy 2025. It is likely that some more personnel may be added to the coaching staff for India’s tour of England based on their expertise.
“There is a possibility of more reinforcements in the coaching staff, those with technical expertise for the tour of England,” the report claimed.
The Champions Trophy will begin on February 19 and the final of the tournament will be played on March 9. The players will get involved in the IPL season afterward. India’s next Test series will be played on the tour to England in June 2025.
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