Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary has urged the BCCI to sack head coach Gautam Gambhir if India fails to win the T20 World Cup 2026. Pressure is building on Gambhir after India lost the Test series against South Africa and the ODI series against New Zealand.

India has had a sensational record in T20Is, losing only three games since the start of 2025. Team India has won series against England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. But India’s Test record in the recent past hasn’t been encouraging as they have lost five out of their last seven Test matches at home under Gambhir’s tutelage.

While talking to InsideSport in a recent video, Tiwary said, “I think if India fail to win the T20 World Cup, then BCCI will have to take a big decision.”

“It will be a tough decision because the BCCI secretary has said that Gambhir will fulfil his contract, which is till 2027. Because there is no question about removing him. But I think if India doesn’t win the T20 World Cup, then BCCI will have to take a big call, and they will remove him,” he added.

The former Bengal batter wants the Indian board to replace Gautam Gambhir with VVS Laxman, who is currently the director of cricket at the NCA.

“It has to be a process-driven thing. When Rahul Dravid was India’s coach and if he used to miss any series, the natural choice was VVS Laxman. Laxman, being the head coach, has always had a good winning percentage. In my opinion, the BCCI should convince him because he is a level-headed guy, and he is a very good human being as well. He has the coaching experience as well.”

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7.