Will Gautam Gambhir be the successor to Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian cricket team? This is currently one of the most pressing questions in Indian cricket. With Dravid’s tenure ending after the 2024 T20 World Cup, the BCCI has announced that his successor will take over from July 1. However, the selection process has been shrouded in secrecy, with little information on who has applied for the top role. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has hinted that an Indian is likely to be appointed.
There are reports suggesting that Gambhir is a leading contender for the position. In a recent interview, after he mentored Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their 2024 IPL title, Gambhir made some intriguing comments when asked about KKR’s success.
“Today, you’re saying this because we’ve won our third trophy. But if you ask me, we’re still two trophies away from Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Today I am content, but that hunger remains — we’re still not the most successful team in the IPL. To achieve that, we need to win three more IPL titles, which will require a lot of hard work. So, the next mission is to make KKR the most successful team in the IPL. There won’t be any bigger feeling for me. But the journey has just started,” Gautam Gambhir said on Sportskeeda.
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The deadline for applications for the position of the Indian cricket team coach has passed, with Monday being the last date to submit applications.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, there are indications of behind-the-scenes developments. A high-profile IPL franchise owner, reportedly close to the BCCI top brass, suggested that a former Indian star’s appointment as the national team’s coach is almost finalized, with an official announcement expected soon. Additionally, a well-known commentator mentioned that significant efforts are underway to recruit the KKR mentor.
Gautam Gambhir said “We still need to win 3 more trophies to become the most successful IPL team & the journey for that has just begun”. [Sportskeeda] pic.twitter.com/PKcQJBiFHo
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 29, 2024
Despite these reports, the absence of an official announcement indicates ongoing negotiations on multiple fronts, possibly involving other candidates as well.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah recently refuted claims that the Board has approached any former Australian cricketer for the head coach position. He emphasized that the next coach should have a deep understanding of India’s cricketing structure, implying that an Indian candidate is the preferred choice.
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As the cricketing world waits with bated breath, the decision on who will lead the Indian team post-Dravid is yet to be officially confirmed. Gambhir’s recent comments and the buzz around his potential appointment suggest that significant changes could be on the horizon for Indian cricket.
