Speculation over Gautam Gambhir’s future as India head coach has intensified following the team’s home ODI series defeat against New Zealand, with criticism pouring in from fans and former cricketers alike. Some voices have even called for Gambhir to be removed from the role.

However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has firmly dismissed any such talk, delivering a pointed response to the growing noise around the coach’s position.

Speaking to Sportstar, Saikia acknowledged that public opinion is inevitable in a cricket-obsessed nation but stressed that key decisions rest with qualified committees within the BCCI.

“India is a country of 140 crore people, and everybody is a cricket expert,” Saikia said. “Everyone will have an opinion. It’s a democratic country, and we cannot gag anybody. All opinion-makers, including the media, are free to speak. Social media is full of opinions, and there is a lot of speculative news.”

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Saikia underlined that the BCCI’s decision-making structure leaves no room for knee-jerk reactions.

“We have a cricket committee made up of former cricketers who take these decisions. For team selection, we have five qualified selectors. For every decision, there will always be a counter-opinion,” he said.

“Those opinions can be heard and considered, but the final call is always taken by the cricket committee and the selectors.”

Earlier, former India batter Manoj Tiwary had added fuel to the debate by suggesting that Gambhir’s future should hinge on the outcome of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

“If Gautam Gambhir fails to win the T20 World Cup 2026, then the BCCI should take a big and difficult decision,” Tiwary told InsideSport. “The BCCI secretary has said they will continue with Gambhir till his contract ends, but if the World Cup does not deliver results, I believe the BCCI will make a big call and remove him.”

With the countdown to the 2026 T20 World Cup already underway, Gambhir’s tenure appears set to be judged not by online noise, but by silverware.