6-hour marathon meeting with clean sweep’s ‘initiators’ Gambhir-Rohit, board worried – how to get Team India back on track

New Delhi. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has conducted a detailed review of India’s crushing 0-3 defeat against New Zealand. In this, selection of ‘Rank Turner’ for Mumbai Test, giving rest to Jasprit Bumrah and coaching style of Gautam Gambhir were discussed. Captain Rohit Sharma, selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gambhir were also present along with BCCI secretary Jay Shah and president Roger Binny. Gambhir attended the online meeting.

Questions on team management decisions
Questions were asked about some decisions taken by the team management during the India-New Zealand series. There was also discussion about Gambhir’s coaching style which is very different from his/her predecessor Rahul Dravid and how the team is adopting it. A BCCI source related to the matter said, ‘It was a 6-hour marathon meeting which was scheduled after such a defeat. The Indian team is going on a tour of Australia and BCCI would like to ensure that the team gets back on track. Also he/she would like to know what the ‘think-tank’ (Gambhir-Rohit-Agarkar) are thinking about this.

Bumrah unhappy with demand for rest and rank turner pitch
It is learned that BCCI officials were not happy with the fact that fast bowler and team vice-captain Bumrah was rested for the third Test and the team opted for a ‘rank turner’ after losing on a similar pitch in Pune. Why chose? The source said, ‘Bumrah’s absence was discussed. Although this was a precautionary step. Choosing the option of ‘rank turner’ despite India not performing well on these pitches are some of the issues that were discussed. All three were asked to suggest how corrective measures could be taken.

Nitish Reddy’s selection not unanimous
It cannot be confirmed whether Gambhir’s coaching style was questioned or not, but it is understood that some people in the ‘think tank’ of the Indian team are not in agreement with the head coach. T20 specialist all-rounder Nitish Reddy and new fast bowler Harshit Rana, who has played only 10 matches in Ranji Trophy, have not been selected unanimously. The Indian team will leave for Australia in two contingents on 10 and 11 November.