Gautam Gambhir is reportedly seeking complete autonomy over Team India's operations following the Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Gambhir's rise in influence has occurred since his appointment as head coach. He aims to dismantle the "superstar culture" prevalent in Indian cricket and build a younger team ready for the future.
According to reports, Gambhir played a key role in phasing out Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket. Both players announced their retirements shortly before the squad selection for the England tour, after Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar communicated their plan to focus on a younger team. This marks a significant shift, as Indian cricket teams have traditionally been led by captains, with coaches playing a supporting role. Coaches like Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid were associates of the captains, rarely challenging their authority. Gambhir's case is different; he reportedly had as much say in policy-making and squad selection as the captain. With the departure of senior players, he is expected to take charge of team-related decisions.
To prevent a repeat of past defeats, Gambhir has requested full autonomy from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This includes implementing a 10-point plan that encourages players to participate in domestic matches and maintain professional behavior on tours.
Shubman Gill is likely to be appointed as the new Test captain and is expected to follow Gambhir's guidance due to his relative inexperience. While Gill is considered a future superstar, he hasn't reached a stage where he can challenge Gambhir's calls. Jasprit Bumrah is the only current player who potentially could counter Gambhir's tactics. Bumrah would have been a natural choice for Test captain, but concerns about managing his workload as a key fast bowler make it unlikely he will be given full-time captaincy.
With the next World Test Championship cycle extending to 2027, many fans have supported Rohit and Virat's decision to retire from red-ball cricket. Gambhir's focus is now on investing in talented youth who can form the core of the Test team. He must empower players and cultivate leaders within the team. Former selector Saba Karim believes Gambhir is now the most important person in the Indian team and needs to give confidence to the players. Gambhir needs to understand the new captain's vision and the brand of cricket he wants the team to play.
India will face England in a five-match Test series starting on June 20, 2025. This series will mark the beginning of a new era for the Indian Test team, with a focus on youth and a departure from the "superstar culture".
