The shock decision to drop Shubman Gill from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad has reportedly caused unease within the dressing room, with players now questioning their own security under Gautam Gambhir’s coaching regime. According to a PTI report, the move — which has Gambhir’s influence written all over it — has sent a clear message: no one is safe, not even India’s emerging superstar and Test vice-captain.

Gill’s omission sends shockwaves through Indian cricket

Shubman Gill, currently India’s Test and ODI captain, was also serving as T20I vice-captain before his exclusion from the World Cup squad. Despite his stature as one of Indian cricket’s brightest talents and a future leadership candidate, Gill has struggled in the T20I format recently, leading selectors to leave him out of the marquee tournament.

The PTI report claims the decision has Gambhir’s fingerprints all over it, suggesting the head coach played a significant role in the call. The report further stated that the omission has created uncertainty among several players, with the perception now being: “If Indian cricket’s next poster boy could be dumped by the wayside, the next omission could have anyone’s name written on it.”

This atmosphere of unpredictability has reportedly unsettled the squad, with players feeling that form, reputation, or seniority may no longer guarantee selection under Gambhir’s tenure.

Gambhir’s mixed record: White-ball success, Test struggles

Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India coach has been a tale of contrasts. In white-ball cricket, his record is impressive:

  • ICC Champions Trophy (ODIs) — Won

  • Asia Cup (T20Is) — Won

However, his performance in Test cricket has been poor, with India suffering 10 Test defeats against SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) under his watch. Key losses include:

  • 3-0 home whitewash to New Zealand (October-November 2024)

  • 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia (December 2024-January 2025)

  • 2-0 clean sweep loss to South Africa at home (December 2025)

These results have raised serious questions about whether Gambhir is the right person to lead India’s red-ball team through the remainder of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.

VVS Laxman approach and Gambhir’s future

According to the PTI report, right after India’s capitulation against South Africa in December, someone influential within the BCCI informally approached VVS Laxman to check if he would be interested in coaching the Test team. However, Laxman is reportedly content serving as Head of Cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and declined the approach.

While Gambhir’s contract runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup, the report suggests it could be revisited depending on India’s performance in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins in five weeks. Within BCCI corridors, “the jury is still out” on whether Gambhir should continue as head coach for the red-ball format.

India’s upcoming Test commitments include:

  • Two-Test series in Sri Lanka (August 2026)

  • Two-Test series in New Zealand (October 2026)

  • Five-Test series at home against Australia (January-February 2027)

Gambhir’s position: Secure but under scrutiny

A BCCI source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told PTI:

“Gambhir does have strong backing within the power corridors of Indian cricket and, obviously, if India retain the T20 World Cup or at least reach the final, he would seamlessly continue with his assignment. However, it would be interesting to see if Gambhir continues in Tests too.”

The source added: “His advantage is that there aren’t too many alternate options in the red-ball format since VVS Laxman isn’t interested in coaching the senior Test team.”

For now, Gambhir remains in charge across all formats, but his future — particularly in Test cricket — may hinge on how India perform in the upcoming T20 World Cup and whether the team can arrest its alarming decline in the longest format.