NEW DELHI: The recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 not only highlighted exhilarating cricket but also shone a light on the off-field camaraderie between Kolkata Knight Riders' new mentor
Gautam Gambhir
and Royal Challengers Bengaluru's star batter
Virat Kohli
. The two were seen hugging after matches and humorously addressing their alleged feisty relationship during media interactions.
In IPL 2023, Kohli and Gambhir, then the mentor for Lucknow Super Giants, had a fierce on-field altercation, but this season, it seemed they had left the past behind.
With Gambhir now appointed as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team, succeeding
Rahul Dravid
, the dynamics between the former teammates are under scrutiny once again.
Reports indicate that Kohli, a senior player and former captain, was not consulted before Gambhir's appointment was officially announced.
"There is enough time for the two to have conversations over the table. But it was important for the
BCCI
to look at the big picture with many youngsters likely to feature in the coming years," a BCCI official has reportedly told Hindustan Times.
The decision to appoint Gambhir was made by the BCCI's
Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which includes Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik. The CAC reportedly consulted several players, including
Hardik Pandya
, who is expected to take over the reins of the T20 side once again.
The committee unanimously recommended Gambhir for the head coach position, viewing his aggressive approach and strategic mindset as key assets for the team's future.
Gambhir's appointment is seen as a forward-looking move by the BCCI, aimed at fostering a competitive and aggressive playing style. His tenure as head coach will be crucial in shaping the future of Indian cricket, particularly with the integration of many young talents into the national squad.
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