BCCI announces Gautam Gambhir as head coach | New coach in Indian cricket: In an unprecedented development for Indian cricket, Gautam Gambhir is set to be announced as the head coach of the Indian national team.
A report in Dainik Jagran suggests that the official announcement is expected by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by the end of June 2024.
Gambhir, who is currently the mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will replace Rahul Dravid after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Gambhir’s journey from IPL mentor to national coach has been full of significant achievements. Over the past year, he has played a vital role in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Initially, he served as the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants for two years, guiding the team with his strategic acumen.
In 2024, he took on the mentorship role for KKR and led them to their third IPL title. His success in the IPL has not gone unnoticed, with the BCCI reportedly impressed with his leadership and tactical skills.
For several months, there has been speculation about Gambhir’s possible appointment as head coach.
Both BCCI and Gambhir have shown mutual interest in the role. Recently, Gambhir declared that coaching the national team would be a huge honour and indicated his enthusiasm to do so.
“I’d want to be the Indian team’s coach. Being a national team coach is the greatest accolade there is. At a recent function, Gambhir stated, “You are representing 140 crore Indians and people around the world.”
With Gambhir’s appointment, Indian cricket is expected to enter a new era, as Rahul Dravid’s term is scheduled to conclude during the T20 World Cup in 2024. He is expected to sign a contract with the BCCI that will run till the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
An important aspect of Gambhir’s new role will be his ability to choose his own support staff. Currently, Vikram Rathore is working as the batting coach, Paras Mahambre as the bowling coach and T Dilip as the fielding coach.
Gambhir’s preference for choosing his support staff could bring about significant changes in the team’s coaching structure.
India’s performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup has been promising, with the team qualifying for the Super Eight round after remaining undefeated in the group stage.
The BCCI’s decision to finalise Gambhir’s appointment will depend on the outcome of India’s campaign in the tournament. Gambhir’s discussions with BCCI secretary Jay Shah during the IPL final in Chennai last month indicated his readiness to take on this prestigious role.
Also Read: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Updated Points Table After India vs Canada Match Cancelled
Source: ICS
