'Factually incorrect and baseless news' - BCCI secretary denies reports of Gautam Gambhir getting sacked as head coach

Denying the ongoing reports in the media surrounding the sacking of Gautam Gambhir as the Team India head coach, the BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has falsified the claims. Earlier, it had come to the fore that the board has found Gambhir incompetent, especially in Tests after the Indian team had faced defeats against Australia in an away series, while being whitewashed by South Africa and New Zealand.

Notably, there were reports in the media affirming that Gambhir will continue being India's coach only in the white-ball formats, while someone will take over the reins in Test cricket. The Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman had been noted as the frontrunner to take up the job, to which the former India cricketer had denied, like he has done previously as well. Now, Saikia, too, has denied the claims.

"This is totally incorrect news going on. This is totally speculative news. Some very reputed news agencies are also flashing the news. There is no truth to it. BCCI straight away denies. People can think all they want, but BCCI has not taken any steps. This is somebody's figment of imagination; there is no truth in it, and I cannot say anything except that this is factually incorrect and baseless news," said Saikia as quoted by Times Now.

India to reveal squad for New Zealand ODIs

Meanwhile, Gambhir is set to continue as the coach of the Indian team for the upcoming series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup 2026 that follows. The squad for the three-match ODI series against the BlackCaps is expected to be announced on or before Sunday, January 4, as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will be meeting for the announcement.

If the reports are to be believed, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is slated to make a comeback in the ODI side after more than two years, replacing his Under-19 batch mate Rishabh Pant. On the other hand, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer may also be seen making a comeback to professional cricket after a threatening injury during the Australia series.