![BCCI summons Gambhir and 2 other key decision-makers [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1788332460229_GautamGambhirBCCI(2).jpg?type=hq)
BCCI summons Gambhir and 2 other key decision-makers [Source: AFP]
In a dramatic development, the BCCI has urgently summoned three key decision-makers of Indian cricket, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, ahead of India's upcoming tour of New Zealand. The Indian team will travel to New Zealand for a multi-format tour comprising five ODIs, as many T20Is and two Test matches in October.
After defeating Sri Lanka by 1-0, India are preparing to take on Afghanistan in three T20I matches before the home series against West Indies. However, the New Zealand tour will challenge the Indian team to the core, as they haven't won a Test series in the country since tasting the remarkable success way back in 2009.
BCCI summons Gambhir, Agarkar and Laxman to Mumbai headquarters
According to a report from the Express Sports, the BCCI has called head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and CoE head of cricket VVS Laxman for an urgent meeting on Thursday, September 3.
The trio has been invited to the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, where the Indian board will not only review the team's abysmal performance on the Ireland and England tours but also prepare a roadmap for Indian cricket leading up to the challenging tour of New Zealand.
Led by Shreyas Iyer, India were blanked in Ireland and England, failing to win a single T20I across seven games. Despite emerging victorious in the first ODI, the tourists couldn't capitalise on the momentum going forward, eventually conceding the series with successive defeats in the subsequent clashes.
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In the meeting, the BCCI will assess the Indian team's performance in the UK and ensure that the CoE, the selection committee and the team management work in synchronisation for the team's success, especially overseas.
BCCI to address India's injury crisis in review meeting
The Indian team's disastrous performance in the UK had a lot to do with the unavailability of several key players due to fitness concerns. Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy were ruled out of the entire UK tour due to quadriceps injuries, while Jasprit Bumrah missed the ODI series decider at Lord's after sustaining a knee injury in the middle of the England tour.
Harshit Rana and Varun Chakaravarthy were sidelined from the remainder of the England tour after sustaining hamstring injuries in the third T20I. On a similar note, Washington Sundar found himself out of India's ODI squad vs England following a hamstring injury he picked up during the second match of the series.
Such frequent injury setbacks to key players have miffed the BCCI, while also earning massive backlash for the CoE as well as the selection committee.
With the New Zealand tour approaching, the BCCI wants the CoE, headed by VVS Laxman, and the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, to work in a more co-ordinated way so that half-fit players don't get an entry into any of the Indian squads.
Why is BCCI in panic mode before New Zealand tour?
While Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar have delivered the goods in white-ball cricket, India have attained ultimate lows as a Test team during their tenure as the head coach and chief selector, respectively.
India were well positioned for a third straight entry into the WTC 2025 final but eventually missed the berth after losing six of their remaining eight Tests, three each against Australia and New Zealand.
India's performance on overseas tours has particularly been scrutinised, with the team losing 11 of 21 matches in ODIs and Tests combined in Gambhir's tenure.
Therefore, after the embarrassing defeats in Ireland and England, the BCCI is sensing the urgency to pull its socks up and ensure a more spirited effort from the Indian team in New Zealand.
Since January 2010, India have lost 14 of 30 international matches on New Zealand soil against the home side, highlighting how the Oceanian nation has been a challenging place for them to thrive.
So, the upcoming tour is no less than a litmus test for Gambhir, Agarkar and Laxman, as the BCCI will ask them tough questions if the Indian team doesn't live up to the expectations.
Also Read: Shreyas Iyer Locked In As India's T20I Captain Till His Retirement
