The Indian Cricket Board might announce a new head coach later this week. Former India opener and Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir is leading the race to replace Rahul Dravid as Team India’s new head coach, according to reports. Dravid’s tenure as the team’s boss will end with the conclusion of the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup in the Americas, with the incoming coach taking charge immediately.

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A Dainik Jagran report suggests that the BCCI plans to name Gautam as Dravid’s successor. Following the England Tests at home earlier, the board put out the invitations for this job, with several names emerging, including Gautam Gambhir, NCA chief VVS Laxman and the Australian duo of Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting.

All these names besides Gambhir rejected the offer, which extends for three and a half years till December 31, 2027. While Ponting and Langer called this job ‘exhausting’ yet ‘best in the world’, none appeared to apply for it. However, following the conclusion of the group stage games in IPL 2024, Gambhir’s name began making headlines. 

Upon approaching, Gautam said he would consider taking up this job, meaning he will have to review his role as KKR mentor, which he agreed to ahead of this season. Before this, Gautam was the head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and guided them to sealing playoff spots for two straight years. This season, under his tutelage, KKR won its third IPL trophy, beating SunRisers Hyderabad in the final.

India under Dravid in T20 WC

Dravid’s contract earlier was until the conclusion of last year’s 50-over World Cup at home. However, the board extended it till the 2024 T20 World Cup, where India has flourished thus far.

Drawn alongside the co-hosts USA, arch-rivals Pakistan, Canada and Ireland in Group A, India won all three matches, including beating Pakistan in New York, and their final league game against Canada got washed out. 

India topped their group and will face Afghanistan on June 20, Bangladesh or Netherlands two days later on June 22, and Australia on June 24. Should India qualify for the semis, they will face the knockout game in Guyana. The final will take place on Saturday (June 29). 

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