Reports: BCCI looking to add new batting coach to Gautam Gambhir’s staff

The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is reportedly looking to add a new batting coach to head coach Gautam Gambhir’s staff after India’s recent subpar performances. It is worth noting that the reported decision has been made after India’s performance in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 

The report stated that the issue was discussed in the recent BCCI board meeting, but it also added that it was uncertain if the BCCI would act on these ideas and go ahead with such an appointment.

After India’s recent performances in the longest format, the role of the batting coach has come into question. The Indian team has only won three of their last ten red-ball internationals. In the BGT 2024-25, ace India batter Virat Kohli was often seen getting dismissed on an outside off-stump delivery, and seeing the constant dismissals, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar raised questions. 

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“What was the coaching staff doing? Batting coach? Against New Zealand, India were bowled out for 46. In the remaining matches, they were not able to do well, and they lost the series. There was no character in the batting order. In Australia too, India lacked solidity in the batting order,” Gavaskar told Star Sports. 

“We have to ask questions: ‘Brothers, what did you do? Why is there no improvement?’ If you tell me the bowling was unplayable (in both series) and then our batters were not able to stand up to it, then it’s okay. Even the best players can’t face unplayable bowling. But it was not the case. Tell me, what have you done?" he questioned.

It is worth noting that the Indian team’s current coaching staff includes head coach Gambhir, bowling coach Morne Morkel, assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and fielding coach T Dilip. Almost everyone on the staff has previously worked with Gambhir, and an addition of a new batting coach could go a long way for India.