Gambhir’s tenure as India head coach which began back in July is reportedly under scrutiny, and the former India opener might end up getting demoted to the status of a white-ball coach should India suffer a defeat in Australia.

Few would have backed New Zealand to end India’s run of 18 consecutive Test series wins at home, especially after getting blanked 0-2 in Sri Lanka. Fewer still would have expected the three-match series to end in a clean sweep in the visiting team’s favour.

It was only natural to expect a backlash from the Indian cricket fraternity after a defeat of this magnitude – the first time India had suffered a clean sweep in a Test series comprising three or more matches at home. The Rohit Sharma-led side had been subjected to incessant trolling ever since they had been shot out for 46 in Bengaluru, which only intensified after the events in Pune and Mumbai.

Advertisement

It was also natural for the BCCI to sit up and take notice, and have a stern word with captain Rohit and head coach Gautam Gambhir, which resulted in a six-hour meeting at the board’s Mumbai headquarters on Friday.

As per reports, Rohit and ‘GG’ were grilled over the nature of the defeat as well as the decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah and choosing rank turner in Mumbai during the course of the meeting, which was also attended by chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

There has also been another major development following the meeting, which took place a couple of days before the Indian squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy was to depart for Australia.