Amid speculation about Gautam Gambhir’s future as head coach, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized the importance of qualified decision-makers in Indian cricket.
Following a disappointing series of performances, including losses in ODIs against Australia and New Zealand, Team India has faced increasing scrutiny regarding its coaching staff. Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, has been at the center of rumors about his potential sacking.
In response to these reports, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia provided a candid and humorous take on the situation. He acknowledged the plethora of opinions circulating among fans and analysts alike, stating, “India is a country of 140 crore people, and everybody is a cricket expert. Everybody will have an opinion.”
Saikia highlighted the democratic nature of the country, where everyone is free to express their views, including media representatives and former cricketers. However, he stressed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) relies on a dedicated cricket committee composed of experienced ex-cricketers to make informed decisions regarding the team’s direction.
“We have a cricket committee in the BCCI, who are ex-cricketers. They are dedicated and make all the decisions,” he explained. “On the other hand, for team selection, we have five selectors. They also have to qualify to get into that position. They are the people who take that also.”
Saikia acknowledged that while various opinions exist, the final decisions rest with the cricket committee and selectors. “For every decision, there can be a counter-opinion. So, those opinions we have to address, and we have to consider. But the final decision is always taken by the cricket committee as well as the selectors,” he added.
Gambhir’s tenure has come under fire as Team India has struggled to achieve consistent results, particularly in the Test format. The team recently suffered a couple of whitewash defeats, first against New Zealand and then against South Africa at home. Additionally, the squad’s performance in Australia was disappointing, leaving them on the brink of an early exit from the World Test Championship (WTC) race.
In contrast, the T20I team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, has enjoyed a successful run against New Zealand, having already secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match series.
As speculation continues regarding Gambhir’s position, Saikia’s remarks serve to reinforce the BCCI’s commitment to a structured decision-making process, despite the noise from the cricketing community and fans.
For further insights, refer to Sportstar.