NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders mentor
Gautam Gambhir
was in high spirits on Sunday night at the MA Chidambaram Stadium after his team clinched their third IPL title with a convincing victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Gambhir, a key figure in KKR's success, was seen celebrating with the players and obliging fans with photographs. Amidst the celebrations, he also took time to meet and greet
BCCI
secretary
Jay Shah
, sparking speculations about his potential future as India's head coach.
Gambhir has emerged as the frontrunner to replace
Rahul Dravid
, whose tenure as
India head coach
ends after the 2024
T20 World Cup
in June. With Dravid not reapplying for the position, the BCCI has opened the search for his successor, with the contract slated to last until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Several Australian cricket legends, including Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer, were initially linked to the role. However, both have denied applying, and Shah clarified that the BCCI prefers an Indian coach who is more familiar with domestic cricket. This preference places Gambhir in a favorable position for the job.
Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla (2R) along with her family members pose next to Jay Shah (L) and Gautam Gambhir. (AFP Photo)
On Sunday, Shah's interaction with Gambhir fueled further speculation. The BCCI secretary was seen congratulating Gambhir, taking photographs, and engaging in a lengthy conversation on the sidelines of KKR's celebrations in Chennai. This gesture was seen by many as an endorsement of Gambhir's candidacy for the head coach role.
Gambhir's potential appointment as head coach is highly anticipated given his extensive experience and successful track record, both as a player and a mentor. His strategic acumen and familiarity with the current crop of Indian cricketers make him a strong candidate for the high-profile role.
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