As per TOI, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir scolded bowling coach Morne Morkel for turning up late in the training session during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Former South African pacer took over the role in August 2024 due to having good terms with Gambhir.
After being competitors on the field, the duo were part of the coaching staff of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Gambhir was reportedly impressed by Morkel’s work during their stint with LSG and wanted him onboard for the role of a bowling coach in the Indian team as well.
However, the reports state that the BCCI has been informed of unsettling incident during one of the practice sessions in the recently concluded BGT. Morkel allegedly arrived late to the training session due to a personal meeting, which fumed Gautam Gambhir. Gautam Gambhir.
Then, the Indian head honcho is said to have lashed out at Morkel, which resulted in the 40-year-old being a “bit reserved” for the rest of the series.
“Gambhir is very strict about discipline,” TOI quoted a source as saying. “He reprimanded Morkel immediately at the ground. The board has been told that Morkel was a bit reserved during the rest of the tour. It’s up to these two to sort it out for the team to function smoothly.”
After losing the BGT 3-1, there have been constant rumors about the lack of unity in the Indian dressing room. All the players are now mandated to travel on the same bus during the tours and the wives/family members will be allowed to stay with them for two weeks in a 45-day tour, or a week for a shorter tour.
Interestingly, the BCCI is said to have kept a close eye on the support staff’s performances in the upcoming series/tournaments, and taking feedback from the players regarding their contributions.
Gautam Gambhir and other support staff face a risk of losing their contracts
The same TOI report further reveals that the work of batting coach Abhishek Nayar is under the radar by the BCCI. Nayar was appointed as the batting/assistant coach of the Indian team, at the request of Gautam Gambhir. Meanwhile, the former Indian batter also recommended Ryan ten Doeschate’s name, who is the current fielding/assistant coach.
Gambhir, Nayar and ten Doeschate served as the mentor, batting and fielding coaches, respectively for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, as the franchise went on to lift the title.
After finding success in IPL, Gautam Gambhir adopted a similar model, but has failed to achieve series wins, especially in the longest format. They sustained a clean sweep defeat against New Zealand and later succumbed to Australia in the BGT. Primarily, the batters have failed to rise to the occasion, whether it’s the spinning track or the seam/swing friendly track.
“Batting coach Abhishek Nayar is particularly under the scanner. Gambhir himself has been an accomplished batter. The board has asked the players if Nayar is bringing anything new to the table,” the source was quoted as saying by TOI.
Moreover, ten Doeschate’s lack of international experience has also been pointed out by the BCCI’s top brass. If the Indian team continue their disappointing performances, the trio reportedly face a risk of losing their contracts.
