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New Delhi, July 29, 2025 — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is preparing for a sweeping overhaul of the men’s national team support staff after India’s disappointing Test campaign earlier this year.
🔹 Who’s Getting the Boot?
- Morne Morkel (Bowling Coach) and Ryan ten Doeschate (Assistant Coach) are expected to be relieved of their duties after the Asia Cup 2025, currently scheduled for September. Despite staying till tournament’s end, neither coach will continue into the upcoming West Indies Test series .
- BCCI insiders say the duo’s contributions—especially in developing pace bowling talent—have been found lacking . A decisive factor reportedly was Morkel’s controversial decision to pick debutant Anshul Kamboj over a fully fit Prasidh Krishna in the Manchester Test, despite fitness concerns and slower bowling speeds.
- Ten Doeschate’s role too has been questioned, with critics pointing to unclear responsibilities and limited impact on performance.
🔹 Gautam Gambhir: Safe—for Now
- Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, who appointed Morkel and Ten Doeschate after his IPL tenure, appears likely to retain his role for the time being. BCCI reportedly prefers stability during this phase of team transition.
- Despite some concerns over Gambhir’s Test‑match record—4 wins and 8 losses in 13 Tests before Manchester—and selection controversies such as benching a world‑class spinner like Kuldeep Yadav, BCCI sources say changing the head coach right now is off the table.
🔹 More Staff at Risk
- Beyond the two coaches, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and panel member Shiv Sunder Das are also reportedly under review. Their roles have come under scrutiny amid concerns over player selections and team balance, especially the preference given to all‑rounders over specialists.
Why the Shake-Up?
| Factor | Context |
|---|---|
| Poor Test results | India was whitewashed 0–3 at home by New Zealand and lost the Border‑Gavaskar Trophy 1–3 in Australia. |
| Coaching performance under fire | Morkel’s failure to nurture new pacers, on‑field misjudgments, and Ten Doeschate’s unclear remit have aggravated dissatisfaction. |
| Need for fresh leadership tomorrow | BCCI is seeking new coaching ideas ahead of upcoming Tests, especially looking toward the West Indies tour in early 2026. |
What Happens Next?
- Final decision is expected following the Asia Cup, after which Morkel and Ten Doeschate will exit the setup.
- Gambhir is likely to stay on, with selector Ajit Agarkar and Shiv Sunder Das’s roles also under review.
- BCCI is set to kick off a new selection and coaching cycle, possibly appointing replacements ahead of the West Indies tour.
This impending staff overhaul reflects the BCCI’s urgency to recalibrate India’s support structure after a string of disappointing Test results in 2024–25. While Morkel and ten Doeschate look set to exit, Gambhir’s position remains intact for continuity. Selectors also face uncertainty as BCCI gears up for a fresh phase in Team India’s red‑ball restart.
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