If the T20 World Cup title defense doesn’t go as planned and the team doesn’t win the title on home soil, former India batter Manoj Tiwary believes the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would make the difficult decision to fire head coach Gautam Gambhir. India hasn’t lost a single bilateral series in the T20 format under Gambhir, but given the team’s declining performance in the other two formats—Tests and ODIs—the former India opening batsman is under intense pressure.
India has lost two home Test series against South Africa and New Zealand since Gambhir became head coach in July 2024. Furthermore, the current three-match ODI series has reduced India to a decimated Kiwi lineup. Gambhir therefore views the T20 World Cup as critical, and a poor campaign could have negative consequences for the present coach’s future.
The two-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion may be fired if Suryakumar Yadav and his side fail to win the 20-team tournament, which begins on February 7, according to Tiwary, a vociferous critic of Gambhir and his coaching style.
“If India doesn’t win the T20 World Cup, then I think that the BCCI should take a big and difficult decision regarding Gautam Gambhir. The BCCI secretary has already stated that Gambhir will continue until his contract expires, and there is no question of removing him,” Tiwary told InsideSport.
“But I think the 2026 T20 World Cup—if the result doesn’t come in this, then the BCCI will remove him and take a big call,” he attached.
In the T20 World Cup, India is grouped with the United States, Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. On February 7, the hosts will take on the United States at Wankhede Stadium to start their title defense.
BCCI ought to persuade Laxman
In the event that Gambhir is fired in the future, Tiwary thinks the BCCI should try to persuade former Indian batter VVS Laxman to become head coach. It is important to note that when Rahul Dravid, the former coach, was not available, Laxman would go on tours with the senior men’s squad.
Tiwary believes Laxman is the best candidate to succeed Gambhir since he has the most experience in the globe.
“I think it has to be a process-driven thing. When Rahul Dravid was the coach and didn’t go on certain tours, VVS Laxman used to go. So he was the natural choice,” stated Tiwary.
“I think the BCCI should look to convince Laxman because he is a level-headed guy, and he’s a decent human being. He has the experience of coaching as well, so BCCI should look to convince him,” he added.
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