The Indian Cricket Board has approached two-time World Cup winner and former opener Gautam Gambhir to become Team India’s head coach following Rahul Dravid’s tenure, which ends with the conclusion of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA. The BCCI is keen on having Gambhir on board as the next head coach, whose tenure would run for three and a half years, starting July 1, 2024.
Per the latest reports, the board has zeroed in on Gambhir to take over the most important role in Indian Cricket. With Dravid’s tenure set to end in June, the BCCI released a statement last week seeking applicants to fill Dravid’s shoes as Team India’s head coach.
The deadline for name submission is May 27, a day after the IPL 2024 final.
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With ‘The Wall’ denying reapplying for the job despite BCCI secretary Jay Shah saying the doors are always open for him to take the role, several other options were considered, including former India legend and Dravid’s long-time teammate VVS Laxman. The National Cricket Academy head has also reportedly denied applying for the job.
While Gambhir has yet to coach a national side, his resume in the IPL has been no less than impressive. A two-time IPL winner with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2012 and 2014, Gambhir is currently the franchise’s mentor, guiding them to their first-ever first-place finish in the group stages this season.
Before rejoining KKR as the mentor ahead of this season, Gambhir coached Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their first two seasons, guiding them to playoffs both times. It is the third consecutive time that Gambhir-led side has entered the final four of an IPL season.
Although he is busy with proceedings at KKR with the playoffs approaching, the BCCI will resume talks after the season ends on May 26 (Sunday).
Gambhir – a hero of the game!
Widely known for his clutch innings in two World Cup-winning finals (75 against Pakistan in the 2007 T20 WC final and 97 against Sri Lanka in the 2011 WC final), Gambhir was known for playing his heart on his sleeves.
Even as a mentor or a coach for an IPL franchise, Gambhir has shown why he is heads and shoulders ahead of his contemporaries, with a sole aim in mind – to win.
Meanwhile, some overseas names, including Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming, are being considered as options for the head coach position.
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