 "BCCI clears the air on talk of Gautam Gambhir’s sacking and VVS Laxman's red-ball takeover: 'There is no truth'")
The BCCI has strongly denied reports suggesting that VVS Laxman could be the next red-ball head coach of the Indian cricket team, putting an end to the speculation that surfaced after India’s recent struggles in Test cricket. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Sunday said the reports were “entirely inaccurate and purely speculative” and made it clear that the board has taken no such steps.
“The reports currently circulating are entirely inaccurate and purely speculative. Despite being carried by some reputed media outlets, there is no truth to these claims. The BCCI categorically denies them and has taken no such steps. These reports are based on conjecture and imagination, are factually incorrect, and completely baseless,” Saikia said in an official statement, dismissing the rumours.
On rumours of former Indian Cricketer VVS Laxman being the next coach of Indian Cricket Team, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia speaks to ANI, he says "The reports currently circulating are entirely inaccurate and purely speculative. Despite being carried by some reputed media… pic.twitter.com/bPnGwG2Qo6
— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2025
Why this clarification?
The clarification comes a day after reports claimed that the BCCI had informally explored the idea of bringing VVS Laxman into the Indian team setup as a red-ball coach. According to those reports, the move was linked to India’s poor Test performances, especially after the recent whitewash against South Africa at home, which severely dented India’s World Test Championship hopes.
Gautam Gambhir, who took over as India’s head coach in 2024 after Rahul Dravid’s exit, has enjoyed considerable success in white-ball cricket. Under his tenure, India have won both ICC and ACC titles in limited-overs formats. However, his Test record has come under scrutiny following a string of disappointing results.
India’s struggles in the longest format include a historic home Test series defeat against New Zealand last year. It was the first time the Kiwis had won a Test series in India, and the clean sweep raised serious questions about India’s red-ball direction. The recent loss to South Africa further pushed India down to seventh place in the 2025-27 World Test Championship standings.
Quick Reads
View AllEarlier reports suggested that, following the South Africa series, a senior BCCI official had approached VVS Laxman about the possibility of taking charge of the Test side. The former India batter, however, was said to be happy in his current role as Head of Cricket at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and not keen on coaching the senior Test team. Saikia’s statement has now made it clear that no such move was formally or informally initiated.
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