NEW DELHI:
Gautam Gambhir
, the former India left-handed opener, has reportedly been approached by the
BCCI
to potentially become the next head coach of the India senior men’s team. This comes as the BCCI officially opened applications for the India men’s head coach’s position, with a deadline set for May 27.
The role of the new India men’s head coach would encompass all three formats from July 2024 until December 2027.
Rahul Dravid
's tenure as India’s head coach commenced after the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup and concluded with the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup, with an extension granted until the conclusion of this year’s Men’s T20 World Cup.
According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, Gambhir, who currently mentors the Kolkata Knight Riders, is said to be at the forefront of the BCCI's wishlist to assume the coaching role after Dravid's term concludes at the end of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the West Indies and the USA from June 1-29.
The report further said Gambhir has been contacted by the BCCI to seek his interest in the top job, and further discussions are expected after KKR complete their IPL 2024 campaign.
“However, the deadline for applying for the India head coach job is May 27, a day after the IPL final. Dravid, it is learnt, has communicated to the BCCI his decision not to seek another tenure,” it added.
Gambhir, aged 42, lacks prior experience as a head coach at either the international or domestic level, but has served in a mentorship role within the IPL. He acted as the mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants franchise during IPL 2022 and 2023, guiding them to playoff qualifications in both seasons.
Transitioning to the IPL 2024 season, Gambhir took on a similar mentorship role with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where the Shreyas Iyer-led team is poised to finish the league stage atop the points table and compete in Qualifier 1 in Ahmedabad.
As a player, the left-handed opener was a pivotal member of India's triumphs in the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 and the 2011 Men’s ODI World Cup.
Additionally, Gambhir captained KKR to victory in two IPL seasons, 2012 and 2014, along with a runners-up finish in the now-defunct Champions League T20 in 2014. His successful track record as both a player and mentor within the cricketing arena adds weight to his potential candidacy for the role of India's head coach.
IANS had previously reported that Gambhir, along with Stephen Fleming, Ashish Nehra, Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer are amongst the big names in fray for the India senior men’s head coach job.
There was the name of VVS Laxman, the former India batter, doing the rounds too for the top job, but he was unlikely to enter the race due to him currently being the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
(With IANS inputs)
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