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Xtra Time Web Desk: The Indian cricket team led by Rohit Sharma had to face a crushing 0-3 defeat in the recent Test series against New Zealand. The Indian team has been whitewashed in a Test series at home after 24 years. Before this, it had to face a 0-2 defeat in a two-match series at the hands of South Africa in the year 2000. Now the Indian team has to tour Australia, where it will play a five-match Test series against the host team from 22 November.

This Test series is also very important for the Indian team in terms of qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. If the Indian team wins the Test series against Australia by 4-0, then it will definitely reach the final. However, doing so will not be easy. India will have to give its best to defeat Australia.

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…so will Gautam Gambhir be fired?

If the performance of the Indian team remains poor in Australia then Gambhir will be removed from the post of head coach in Test cricket. Gambhir is currently the head coach of the Indian team in all three formats. This claim has been made in a report in a daily newspaper. In Test cricket, a veteran like VVS Laxman can be made the head coach, while Gautam Gambhir can remain the head coach of the white ball team.

6-hour review meeting held by BCCI:

A marathon six-hour review meeting was held by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) following India's crushing defeat against New Zealand. BCCI secretary Jay Shah, president Roger Binny, and key figures including captain Rohit Sharma, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and head coach Gautam Gambhir were present. The meeting focused on various decisions made by the team management during the series, including Gambhir's coaching style, which differs from the approach of previous head coach Rahul Dravid.

According to a senior BCCI source, the meeting was called in response to the heavy defeat, as the Indian team prepares for their upcoming tour of Australia. The BCCI aims to get the team back on track and gain insights from the Gambhir-Rohit-Agarkar trio on their plans moving forward.

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One of the major points of discussion was the decision to rest fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the third Test, with some BCCI officials questioning the move. The choice of a ‘rank turner’ pitch, despite India’s struggles on such tracks in Pune, was also raised. The source clarified that Bumrah’s absence was precautionary, but the decision to opt for a turning pitch remained a topic of concern.

The meeting also covered the exclusion of all-rounder Nitish Reddy and fast bowler Harshit Rana, with their non-selection not being unanimous. India is set to depart for Australia in two batches on November 10 and 11, with the focus now shifting to the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.