Why Gautam Gambhir Will Not Coach India in Zimbabwe Series & Asian Games 2026?

The cricket schedule of the Indian Cricket is packed with a lot of matches across the formats and on various tours, and is scheduled one after another. Currently, the Indian team is playing a white-ball tour in England, which will be concluded on July 19, 2026 and with only a gap of three days, India will be touring to play a 3-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

India's next assignment in the shortest format of the game will be during the Asian Games 2026. However, it has been reported that India National Cricket Team Coach, Gautam Gambhir, will not be coaching the Indian team in these two specific tours. Let's find out the reason why Gautam Gambhir will not coach India.

Why is Gautam Gambhir Not Coaching India in ZIM Series and Asian Games 2026?

According to reports, Gautam Gambhir will not be coaching the Indian team during the Zimbabwe series and the Asian Games 2026. The reason behind this decision is the packed schedule of the Indian Cricket Team, and the management has likely decided to divide the coaching duties with the Head of the BCCI COE, VVS Laxman.

The Asian Games 2026 schedule will overlap with the early matches of the West Indies tour of India, and it would be better if Indian Legend, VVS Laxman takes the coaching duties from the Zimbabwe tour, which is before the Asian Games, so that a good rapport is built among the players and coaches during the Asian Games. VVS Laxman New India Coach for the ZIM series and the Asian Games, will give proper time to Gambhir to work on the Indian Test Team and core players of the Indian setup for the series in future.

Who Will Join VVS Laxman During ZIM Series and Asian Games 2026?

The BCCI COE Head, VVS Laxman, will be finishing his ongoing assignment of the BCCI Emerging Men's Tournament on July 24, 2026, and will likely join the Indian Team in Zimbabwe. Laxman will be accompanied by Sunil Joshi as a bowling coach, as well as Hrishikesh Kanitkar, who will be the batting coach. The same setup of coaches will be available in the Zimbabwe tour as well as during the Asian Games 2026. It will be interesting to see how these coaches will work with the team and produce positive results.