The Indian cricket team is making headlines for unwanted reasons, involving head coach Gautam Gambhir, known for his no-nonsense approach to discipline. Gautam Gambhir reprimanded bowling coach Morne Morkel for arriving late to a training session during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25.
The BCCI vice president recently dismissed rumors of disagreements between the coach, captain, and selectors, but another new incident from the recently concluded Test series has come to light. The matter was reportedly brought to the BCCI’s attention during the review meeting held on January 11.
Gautam Gambhir Reprimands Bowling Coach Morne Morkel Publicly
According to The Times of India, Gautam Gambhir reprimanded bowling coach Morne Morkel during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Morkel arrived late to a practice session due to a prior personal meeting, which led to Gambhir confronting him on the ground, in front of the team.
“Gambhir is very strict about discipline. He reprimanded Morkel immediately at the ground. The board has been told that Morkel was a bit reserved during the rest of the tour. It is up to these two to sort it out to allow the team to function smoothly,” a BCCI source told TOI.
Assistant Coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate Under BCCI Scrutiny
The BCCI is evaluating the team’s support staff following the 1-3 thrashing at the hands of Australia. The report added that batting coach Abhishek Nayar and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate are under scrutiny for their roles in the team’s underperformance.
The BCCI is reportedly considering limiting support staff contracts to 2-3 years to ensure accountability. Additionally, the board is actively seeking feedback from senior players to assess the effectiveness of the support staff in contributing to the team’s success.
“Batting coach Abhishek Nayar is particularly under the scanner. Gambhir himself has been an accomplished batter. The board has asked the players if Nayar is bringing anything new to the table. Similarly, Doeschate’s role is being discussed. His lack of international experience and ability to contribute to enhancing an international cricketer’s performance is being questioned,” the source added.
“The board feels loyalty issues creep in after the coaches spend a lot of time with the team. But it has benefited from a side-arm specialist who offers throwdowns,” the source said.
BCCI to Decide Gautam Gambhir’s Future After Champions Trophy 2025
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, the Indian cricket team faces several challenges, both on and off the field. Gautam Gambhir’s strict disciplinary approach, along with increased scrutiny of the coaching staff, highlights the struggle to create a high-performance environment.
With Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel having a long history together, it’s expected that they will resolve any issues before the Champions Trophy, which is set to be played in Pakistan and Dubai. The tournament will be a key factor in determining the future of Gambhir and his coaching staff.
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