BCCI Contemplates Coaching Changes as Team India Faces Critical Test Series in Australia
The Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to tinker with its coaching set-up after facing a defeat of never-before-seen sort on home turf at the hands of New Zealand. Sources feel that given due consideration to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 scheduled with Australia, the present head coach Gautam Gambhir’s place is likely to be in doubt in case the team cannot achieve the desired result down under. The series is a must-win for India- already under tremendous pressure because it has to whitewash this series to stay in contention for that cherished slot in the World Test Championship final.
The tour of Australia promises to be an enormous challenge for Team India, and the opening Test is scheduled at Perth’s Optus Stadium. With Rohit Sharma under the captaincy, this team needs to bounce back from the last few setbacks. As per reports from Dainik Jagran, the BCCI is mulling over a specialist approach to its coaching service. VVS Laxman could be entrusted with the responsibility of Test cricket as Gambhir will continue in the limited-overs formats.
A total of five Tests are scheduled at iconic venues with a day-night encounter at Adelaide Oval. The Indian team is built as the result of a diverse mix comprising campaigners like Virat Kohli and new names such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, to whom more or less peak performances will be required to maintain their standing in world cricket. According to team management, the team needs to gradually work according to Australian conditions to continue progressing ahead in the series that will see matches being played at challenging venues such as The Gabba.
India today announced a full 18-man squad for the series, with Jasprit Bumrah set to play a vice-captain under Rohit Sharma, while the selection committee has ensured that experience and youth are mixed with some promising youngsters such as Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel with veteran members Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Preparations: The Australian pitches are known to bounce and have pace, and the team is looking to play homework games in the main primarily with the same kind of track in mind. That said, the Indian team management has particularly felt the need to stress acclimatization with the current team, especially the youngsters who would be playing their first Test series here.
