Is Laxman replacing Gambhir as Team India's red ball coach?

A post on social media has gone viral, amassing 375,000 views and more than 570 reposts

Last updated: July 27, 2025 | 16:27

Jai Rai, Assistant Editor

1 MIN READ

VVS Laxman

AFP

Dubai: Recent speculation about Gautam Gambhir’s future as India’s red-ball head coach has intensified, especially amid disappointing performances, including the ongoing Test series against England. Talk of a potential replacement gained momentum after a verified X account, @Teamindiacrick, claimed that former Indian Test stalwart VVS Laxman is likely to take over the role. The post quickly went viral, amassing over 375,000 views and more than 570 reposts.

Gambhir’s tenure has been under scrutiny. Under his leadership, India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia in 2024–25, are currently trailing 1-2 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England, and failed to qualify for the 2025 World Test Championship final.

However, these reports appear to be speculative rather than substantiated. Gambhir is under contract as head coach until 2027, and there has been no official word from the BCCI or any credible source suggesting his position is under threat. Despite recent setbacks, Gambhir is guiding a young team through a transitional phase.

As for Laxman, while he currently heads the National Cricket Academy and has served as interim coach during limited-overs series, there is no official indication that he is set to replace Gambhir as the red-ball coach.

Jai RaiAssistant Editor

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.