New Delhi: Gautam Gambhir, the former dynamic opener for the Indian cricket team, is being considered for the role of head coach for Team India. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reached out to Gambhir to gauge his interest in the position. This development comes as the tenure of the current coach, Rahul Dravid, is set to conclude with the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Gambhir, aged 42, is presently the mentor of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a role he took on for the 2024 season. The BCCI is expected to hold further discussions with Gambhir following the conclusion of IPL 2024. The final match of the IPL is scheduled for May 26, and the deadline for applications for the head coach position is May 27.
Rahul Dravid, the current head coach, has decided not to seek an extension of his contract. While Gambhir has no coaching experience at the international or domestic level, he has been influential in mentorship roles within the IPL. He served as the mentor for Lucknow Super Giants in 2022 and 2023 and has led KKR to the playoffs in 2024, securing the top spot in the league.
The decision for Gambhir to join KKR as a mentor was reportedly influenced by the team’s owner, Shah Rukh Khan, with whom Gambhir shares a strong bond. The former cricketer has previously captained KKR to two IPL titles and has been praised for his leadership skills.
The BCCI’s search for a new head coach comes at a time when the Indian cricket team is preparing for the transition period after the T20 World Cup. With Gambhir’s rich experience in cricket and his recent success in the IPL, he is seen as a strong candidate to lead the national team into a new era.
