Saikia said the board had taken no steps toward any coaching change in the longest format.

"This is totally speculative news," he stated. "Some reputed agencies are flashing it, but there is no truth. BCCI straight away denies. This is somebody's figment of imagination."

The rumours surfaced after India's humiliating 0-2 home Test series whitewash against South Africa—their second consecutive home clean sweep following a 0-3 loss to New Zealand last year. The defeats ended India's unbeaten home record spanning over a decade and severely dented their World Test Championship prospects.

Under Gambhir, appointed in July 2024, India have struggled in Tests, suffering heavy losses including a record 408-run defeat in Guwahati. Yet Saikia's firm denial signals continued backing for the former opener, whose contract runs across formats.

Laxman, currently heading the National Cricket Academy, has often stood in as interim coach but reportedly prefers his developmental role.

With no immediate Tests scheduled, attention shifts to limited-overs series and the upcoming T20 World Cup defence. The BCCI appears keen to avoid knee-jerk reactions amid the red-ball slump.