India's batting line-up faced repeated challenges during the recent five-match Test series against Australia. Despite showing some resilience in the second innings at Perth and parts of the first innings in Brisbane, the Indian batting unit struggled throughout the series and was consistently under pressure.
In response to these batting inconsistencies, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively exploring the possibility of adding a new member to the coaching staff, with a particular focus on hiring a specialized batting coach. The team’s recent disappointing performances, particularly in Test series against New Zealand and Australia, have prompted this consideration.
According to a report from Cricbuzz, the BCCI is evaluating several high-profile candidates for the role, including former stalwarts from domestic cricket. However, no final decision has been made, and an official announcement is yet to be released. Internal discussions within the BCCI and the team management indicate a pressing need to bolster the support staff in light of the team’s recent setbacks.
India’s current coaching setup includes head coach Gautam Gambhir, assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, bowling coach Morne Morkel, and fielding coach T. Dilip. The aftermath of India’s disappointing 1-3 defeat in the recent Test series against Australia has led to intense scrutiny of the coaching staff’s effectiveness.
Notable players like Virat Kohli, who faced repeated dismissals in similar fashion throughout the series, and captain Rohit Sharma, who struggled to find form, have raised questions about the role of the support staff. The issue was discussed in a review meeting held in Mumbai on January 11, where concerns regarding the coaching structure were addressed. Additionally, former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has been vocal about the situation following India’s loss in Sydney.
“I’m not sure if there’s merit in having different coaches, but that’s something to discuss later. However, questions need to be asked about Gautam Gambhir and his coaching team. What were they doing during these losses? We lost games we should have won, both against New Zealand in India and here in Australia. The batting performance has been lackluster, and this needs to be addressed,” Gavaskar remarked.
The BCCI now faces an important decision as it looks to address these concerns and strengthen the coaching staff in order to improve the team’s performance moving forward.
