Overview:
Laxman, who also coached the U19 and India A teams, is a strong candidate to replace Gautam Gambhir as head coach.
Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, is under pressure following the team’s 0-2 Test series against South Africa. The visitors won the second match by 408 runs, registering a first Test series win in India since 1999/2000. Since taking charge in 2024, Gambhir started with a 2-0 win over Bangladesh but faced a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand and a 1-3 loss in Australia. Under new captain Shubman Gill, India drew 2-2 in England and won 2-0 against the West Indies. However, the winning momentum was broken by the Proteas.
While Gambhir has led India to success in white-ball cricket, the results haven’t been impressive in the longest format. Here is the list of five former players who can replace the current head coach in Test cricket.
VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman, who currently heads the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has coached India on several occasions. He was the head of the support staff for the T20 series in Ireland in 2022 and the New Zealand tour. He also led the team to victory in the 2023 Asian Games and the T2I0 series in Zimbabwe and South Africa in 2024. Laxman, who also coached the U19 and India A teams, is a strong candidate to replace Gautam Gambhir as head coach.
Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly, currently head coach of the SA20 side Pretoria Capitals, could be the next coach of Team India after Gautam Gambhir. He previously served as the Director of Cricket and mentor for the Delhi Capitals. Ganguly has captained India in 195 matches (Tests and ODIs) and has also been the BCCI President. He is currently serving as head of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
Andy Flower
Andy Flower has extensive coaching experience with several teams worldwide, including Punjab Kings (assistant), Lucknow Super Giants (head coach), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (won IPL title in 2025). He also served England’s national team from 2007 to 2014, helping them win three Ashes series and the 2010 T20 World Cup. Flower’s other roles include coaching Peshawar Zalmi (2016), Multan Sultans (2020), St Lucia Zouks (2020), Gulf Giants (2022), and Trent Rockets (2021-2025). He was recently appointed head coach of the London Spirit for the 2026 season.
Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene, former Sri Lanka captain, is a strong candidate to replace Gautam Gambhir. As the Mumbai Indians’ coach, he led the team to IPL titles in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Jayawardena has also worked with England (batting consultant), West Indies (head coach), and Sri Lanka (consultant). He also coached Khulna Titans (BPL) and Southern Brave (The Hundred). He captained Sri Lanka in 183 matches, with a record of 98 wins and 67 losses. He also led his team to the final of the 2007 ODI World Cup. With three IPL titles, he is a leading foreign coaching option for the BCCI.
Tom Moody
Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody, who led SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) to the 2016 IPL title, has extensive coaching experience in the IPL, including stints with Punjab Kings (2008-2010) and SRH (2013-2019). He rejoined SRH as Director of Cricket in 2021 and had previously held the same role with the Melbourne Renegades in 2014. Recently, Moody replaced Zaheer Khan as LSG’s global director of cricket. Moody’s coaching career includes guiding Sri Lanka to the 2007 World Cup final, as well as stints with Rangpur Riders (BPL), Multan Sultans (PSL), Montreal Tigers (GT20 Canada), and Western Australia (KFC Big Bash).