According to reports, Gautam Gambhir, the coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is a strong candidate to take over as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team after Rahul Dravid. Despite not having filed a formal application yet, sources indicate that Gambhir is interested in the position. The application deadline is May 27.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is due to meet with Gambhir, a former opener for India, on the day of the final in Chennai, where KKR will play Sunrisers Hyderabad. Although Gambhir is eager to take on the job, Dainik Jagran claims that he must persuade Shah Rukh Khan, the co-owner of KKR, to relieve him of his mentorship responsibilities.
Before the current IPL season, Gambhir was allegedly offered a blank check by Shah Rukh if he committed to KKR for the next ten years. Even with this alluring offer, Gambhir seems willing to take on a fresh challenge with the national squad.
Throughout the IPL, Gambhir has demonstrated his leadership abilities, first with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and later with KKR. He served as a mentor for LSG, assisting them in reaching the postseason in both their inaugural and subsequent seasons. This season, his return to KKR as a mentor has paid off, as the club has advanced to the final and won the league.
A number of well-known candidates, including Stephen Fleming, Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, and VVS Laxman, are in the running for the role of head coach for India. All these former cricket players have a plethora of experience under their belts, and they all have different ways of coaching. Well-known cricketer Ricky Ponting recently disclosed that he had conversations about taking on the coaching post. He ultimately chose not to pursue it, though, because of the rigorous long-term commitment and the considerable travel required—he would be gone from home for almost 10 months annually.
The BCCI has not yet made a personal approach to any of the candidates, despite the rumours circulating around these individuals. This opens up the field, and Gautam Gambhir’s name has surfaced quite significantly. Given his track record, which includes leading KKR to two IPL titles as captain and currently as a mentor, Gambhir is a formidable opponent.
Everybody’s eyes are on Gambhir as the IPL final draws near, featuring KKR taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad. Fans and experts alike are anxiously awaiting his next move. Should he choose to take on this esteemed position, it might usher in a new phase of his remarkable career and offer a novel viewpoint to the coaching staff of the Indian cricket team.
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