Who could BCCI turn to if Gautam Gambhir is relieved of Test duty

India head coach Gautam Gambhir (AP Photo)

The Indian team bus left the ACA Stadium in Guwahati amid “Gautam Gambhir hai, hai” chants. At the post-match press conference after India's abject surrender in the second Test — a staggering 408-run defeat — it felt like the head coach was under pressure. Over the last 12-odd months, in seven home Tests, India have lost five. Their home fortress has crumbled.

At the presser, Gambhir was asked if the blame lies at the feet of the coaching staff as well, along with the players who were found wanting in terms of technique, temperament and handling pressure against the turning and bouncing ball. The former India opener fronted up.

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“It lies with everyone in that dressing room and starts with me to everyone in that dressing room,” Gambhir said. “I have said it before as well that we win together, we lose together. So I'm not going to be someone who is going to say that it lies with X, Y or Z… It lies with everyone sitting in that room, as simple as it can get. That is what team sport is all about.”

The question is if he is still the right man for the job as regards being the head coach of the Test side. “It is up to the BCCI to decide,” said Gambhir. “I said it during my first press conference when I took over as the head coach. Indian cricket is important, I'm not important. And I sit here and say exactly the same thing.”

Then he rolled out his achievements. “And yes, people can keep forgetting about it. I'm the same guy who got results in England as well, with a young team. And I’m sure you guys will forget very soon because a lot of people keep talking about New Zealand. And I’m the same guy who won the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup as well. Yes, this is a team which has less experience.”

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The BCCI must have taken note of India’s decline in red-ball cricket. It needs to be seen if there's a performance review meeting in the coming days. But if, and it's unlikely at the moment, the cricket board opts for split coaching, a different coach for the Test team, who could they turn to?

VVS Laxman appears to be the likely candidate. The former India great is the head of cricket at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. He wasn't inclined to take India's coaching role after Rahul Dravid’s departure because Laxman wasn't willing to be on the road for nine months. Being the coach of only the Test team, however, is not a round-the-year job. As India's head coach, Gambhir has done very well in white-ball cricket. As far as Test cricket is concerned, he is looking to be out of his depth.