'Aaj India ko Rahul Dravid ki yaad aa rahi hogi'

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir had being given a free reign by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) since his appointment after the T20 World Cup 2024. Former India opener Gambhir got his choice of support staff with the likes of Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate joining him along with former South Africa pacer Morne Morkel.

In the support staff, apart from Morkel, no one has any experience of playing in Test cricket. Gambhir was also given unprecedented say in the selection with the head coach being part of the selection of the squad for the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia later this month.

However, India’s first-ever Test series whitewash against New Zealand has put the focus firmly back on Gambhir. The head coach, who was given a free hand in selection matters, may not have as much say in issues concerning the team in the coming times.