The appointment of the new head coach for the Indian cricket team might be delayed. This is because current coach Rahul Dravid‘s term will end after the T20 World Cup in 2024. Among the candidates, Gautam Gambhir, who is currently the mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders, is the leading contender. Ashish Nehra and VVS Laxman are also being considered for the position.
Reports suggest there haven’t been many applications from foreign coaches. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prefers someone familiar with India’s domestic cricket scene. Although the deadline for applications was May 27, the BCCI might take longer to decide because the players are now focused on the T20 World Cup.
After the World Cup, the Indian team has tours planned for Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. During this period, the BCCI might use coaches from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to manage these tours until a permanent head coach is appointed.
“The deadline is fine, but the BCCI brass wouldn’t mind taking some more time before reaching a decision. Right now, the team will be busy with World T20 for the better part of the month of June. After that seniors will be rested from tours of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe where any of the NCA-based senior coaches can accompany the team. So what’s the hurry,” a BCCI source told PTI.
Report: Gautam Gambhir’s Appointment as India Coach Nears Finalization Amid Ongoing Negotiations
A report from Cricbuzz revealed some behind-the-scenes activity regarding the new Indian cricket team coach. It mentioned that a “very high-profile owner of an IPL franchise, who is closely connected with the BCCI leadership,” informed them that Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the coach is nearly finalized and an official announcement is expected soon.
The report also quoted a “high-profile commentator” who said there are serious efforts to recruit Gambhir, the current mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). However, since there hasn’t been an official announcement yet, it suggests that negotiations are still ongoing, possibly involving other candidates as well.
The report outlined potential challenges Gautam Gambhir might face before accepting the role of Indian cricket team coach. Gambhir, who is a successful IPL mentor and TV analyst, would need to give up these roles if he becomes the national coach. The job demands significant time and commitment, requiring nearly 10 months of travel each year, which could be a concern for Gambhir as he has a young family.
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