Gautam Gambhir: The Next Head Coach of India?

The race to select head coach of the Indian cricket team is getting closer to an end and former India opener Gambhir is tipped as the next. 

Dainik Bhaskar news brings into the limelight that Gambhir is on the precipice of being named the new head coach of Team India for which BCCI is said to come up with an official announcement shortly.

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Transition from Rahul Dravid to Gautam Gambhir

The current head coach of the team is Rahul Dravid, and after the T20 ICC World Cup 2024, his term with the side shall end. 

As you are aware, the BCCI had advertised to fill the head coach position in May this year and there have been rumors suggesting that Gambhir was most likely going to be accorded this position.

Gambhir Fresh from IPL 2024 Success

IPL 2024 champions KKR had Gambhir as a team’s mentor, and BCCI is understood to have sounded him out for the position after Dravid’s stint ends following the T20 World Cup being played presently. 

Whether Gambhir has applied for it remains in the air but the application deadline was set to May 27, the day after the IPL final.

Gambhir’s Vision for Indian Coaching

“Look, I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team,” Gambhir stated during an interaction with children at an event in Abu Dhabi. “You are representing 140 crore Indians. And more across the globe as well. And when you represent India, how can it get bigger than that?”

Gambhir’s Approach to Winning the World Cup

In response to a youngster’s question about helping India win a World Cup, Gambhir emphasized collective effort: attend the World Cup Final and win it:_infSartOh what great joy, it is not me who will help India to win the world cup it is 140 crore Indians who will help India to win the world cup Final If all of them start praying for us and we start playing and representing them then India will win the world cup But the most important thing is to be Fearless and yes I would love to coach India.

Current Support Staff Under Dravid

Currently, Paras Mhambrey is the bowling coach of the Indian cricket team Vikram Rathore is the batting coach, and the fielding coach of the team is T. Dilip. 

Should Gambhir insist on being the new coach then it is expected that he will come with his team of players and this will lead to the signing of new personnel for these positions.

BCCI’s Confirmation and Gambhir‘s Appointment

A BCCI source quoted by Dainik Bhaskar confirmed the discussions with Gambhir: ”‘ We have been in discussion with Gambhir for the position of the head coach of the Indian team which he will be taking up after the T20 World Cup with the replacement of Rahul Dravid,” the acceptance of Gambhir’s demand to bring whole support staff means a major change from the existing pattern.

Dravid’s Decision and BCCI’s Preference

There has been a signal from Dravid that he has apprised the BCCI of his unwillingness to seek another term. Off late VVS Laxman, who had been waiting for his turn to succeed Dravid had unfortunately not been available for selection in the last year due to some personal issues. 

There was a subtle message from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah to this effect with the board seemingly keen on an Indian candidate – with emphasis on candidates with a sound understanding of cricket in the country.

Gambhir’s Potential Departure from KKR

If Gambhir gets the new India coach appointment then he will have to give up his mentoring position in KKR and as we all know BCCI has strict no conflict of interest policies. 

Gambhir in the recent past had even said that he wants to be associated with KKR for longer periods with an aim of making Kolkata the best IPL franchise side ever.

Gautam Gambhir’s Coaching Credentials

Gautam Gambhir’s coaching credentials include mentorship roles at two IPL teams: Lucky players at LSG in both IPL 2022 and 2023 when they reached the playoffs stages, and at KKR in the 2024 IPL. 

Lack of international or domestic coaching experience might be a concern, however, the capability to mentor a team towards success in IPL is compelling evidence.

Gambhir’s Playing Career and Leadership

Gambhir has been one of the most important players ever during international cricket and has played a very significant role in achieving the T20 World Cup in the year 2007 and the ODI World Cup in the same year 2011. 

He has played for KKR and captained the side for seven years in IPL and in two seasons, they won titles in the years 2012 and 2014.

Conclusion: A New Era for Indian Cricket

As Gambhir is expected to potentially replace Ravi Shastri as the head coach of the Indian team, it is another major shift to expect from the coming days. 

His appointment therefore with the conditions of his support staff’s acceptance, signifies a new approach to coaching. The formal report from the BCCI at the end of this month will clarify this and mark the start of this new era of Indian cricket.

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