BCCI to Review India’s UK Performance

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will review the Indian team’s performances in Ireland, England, and Zimbabwe early next month, as well as decide on the contracts of a few support staff members under head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Speaking to Cricbuzz on Saturday (July 25), BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the review will include all recent white-ball matches, particularly those in Ireland and England, where the Indian team has largely failed to win, with the exception of one ODI victory against England.

“We will hold the review meeting in August,” the BCCI secretary stated, without providing a precise date.

India suffered their first defeat against Ireland in Belfast last month in the two-match T20I series, before losing four of the five T20Is against England, one of which was abandoned. It signified a remarkable turnaround of fortune following March’s World Cup high under new captain Shreyas Iyer.

India lost 1-2 to Harry Brook’s team in the three-match ODI series in England, captained by Shubman Gill. However, as expected, India went on to win the present T20I series in Zimbabwe. Saikia did not elaborate on the scope of the review, but did confirm that the BCCI would look into the contracts of a few support staff members.

Cricbuzz had reported that assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has asked the BCCI to relieve him of his duties. Doeschate has fulfilled his initial two-year term, and his request may be accepted.

There is no immediate word on the future of fielding coach T Dilip, who has come under fire, particularly because India’s fielding and catching have been subpar during the tour of the United Kingdom.

Nitish is uncertain for SL tests.

Saikia also disclosed that the squad for the away Test series against Sri Lanka will be announced on Tuesday, with the meeting most likely taking place remotely. India will play two Tests, in Galle and Colombo, between August 15 and 27.

Except for a few minor changes, the squad will be very similar to the one that faced Afghanistan in June under Gill. The selection meeting will be focused on whether Jasprit Bumrah will be selected for the series.

While he is expected to be included, as is Mohammed Siraj, who led the attack against Afghanistan in Bumrah’s absence, the more important question is if the selectors will finally allow Auqib Nabi, the leading wicket taker in the previous Ranji season, a shot in the side.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was part of the squad for the New Chandigarh Test in June, is receiving rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for a quadriceps injury sustained last month and is unlikely to be selected.

Reddy, one of the few all-format players in the Indian squad, has begun bowling at the Bengaluru facility, but sources say it is too early to consider him for the five-day matches.

He is, however, anticipated to be prepared for the flurry of white-ball contests slated for September. Reddy last played for India in the third and final One-Day International against Afghanistan in Chennai in June.