Former India opener Gautam Gambhir, known for his crucial roles in India’s 2007 and 2011 World Cup victories, is poised to become the new head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. Gambhir and former India opener and ex-women’s team coach WV Raman were interviewed via Zoom by the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) for the role.
Appointment Announcement Expected Soon
The BCCI is expected to officially announce Gambhir’s appointment either towards the end of the ongoing T20 World Cup or shortly after its conclusion. Gambhir, 42, will be the head coach for all three formats of the game, with his term starting in July 2024 and concluding in December 2027, after the 50-over World Cup.
Interview Process
Gambhir’s interview took place at 12 pm, followed by Raman’s interview at 12.45 pm, which lasted for 30 minutes. It remains unclear if any other candidates will be interviewed. The BCCI had invited applications for the head coach position on its website following Dravid’s decision to step down after his term, which was extended by six months post the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Gambhir’s Current Roles and Future Plans
Currently, Gambhir is a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the 2024 IPL champions. He will resign from this role upon his appointment as India’s head coach. The BCCI will grant Gambhir the liberty to select his support staff. Dravid, on the other hand, is reportedly being considered by several IPL teams for the role of team director.
CAC and the Selection Process
The CAC, consisting of former India cricketers Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik, conducted the interviews. Malhotra participated via Zoom from Punjab, while Paranjape and Naik were at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. According to a source from the Times of India (TOI), the interview was largely a formality, as the BCCI is confident in Gambhir’s capability to make decisive changes in Indian cricket.
Gambhir’s Transition from Politics to Cricket
Speculation about Gambhir’s involvement in Indian cricket grew after he left active politics on March 2, just before the BJP’s candidate list announcement for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. His success with KKR this year, following a seventh-place finish in 2023, further cemented his suitability for the role. Despite his lack of coaching experience in international or domestic cricket, Gambhir’s mentorship has led the Lucknow Super Giants to the playoffs in both years he was in charge. He also captained KKR to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, with Raman as the team’s batting coach in 2014.
BCCI’s Preference for an Indian Coach
The BCCI was intent on appointing an Indian coach, with Board Secretary Jay Shah confirming that no former Australian cricketer had been approached for the job. A franchise owner expressed optimism about Gambhir’s impending role, citing his extensive chat with Jay Shah after the IPL final on May 26 as an indicator of his imminent appointment.
New Selector to be Appointed
Additionally, the CAC is set to interview candidates to replace Salil Ankola as the selector from the North Zone. Ankola and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, both from the West Zone, are currently on the selection committee. Agarkar, appointed last July, succeeded Chetan Sharma, who resigned following a sting operation.
Gambhir’s transition from a decorated player to a key coaching role marks a significant shift in Indian cricket, promising new strategies and leadership as the team prepares for future challenges.
The Information is Collected from Yahoo Sports and ESPNcricinfo.
