The deadline for applying for the Indian men’s cricket team head coach position ended on Monday. However, neither the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) nor Gautam Gambhir, a top candidate for the job, made any public statements about the situation. Gambhir, who recently led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL victory, is naturally a strong contender.
Despite this, neither he nor the BCCI have officially commented, and it appears that the BCCI is struggling to find high-quality candidates. Notably, no prominent foreign coaches have applied for the role. This is likely because BCCI secretary Jay Shah emphasized that the Board prefers someone who has extensive experience within India’s domestic cricket system.
VVS Laxman, who heads the National Cricket Academy, was the BCCI’s main choice for the position. However, Laxman is reportedly not interested in taking on a full-time job that would require him to be available for about ten months each year. “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 on conditions of anonymity.
Gautam Gambhir helped KKR win their third IPL title
Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has a deep connection with Gautam Gambhir, making it challenging for Gambhir to leave the IPL team that has become an integral part of his identity. This close relationship complicates the decision for Gambhir to consider other opportunities, such as the head coach position for the Indian men’s cricket team. Additionally, the opinions of senior Indian players, who are in New York.
They play a significant role in evaluating Gambhir’s potential as a replacement for Rahul Dravid. Their insights and perspectives are critical in determining whether Gambhir is a suitable candidate for this high-profile role. As the BCCI weighs its options, these factors contribute to the complexity of selecting a new head coach who can effectively lead the national team.
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