Gautam Gambhir Expected to be Appointed as India's New Head Coach

The Indian cricket team is currently without a permanent head coach following the conclusion of Rahul Dravid's tenure after the T20 World Cup 2024. A second-string Indian team is currently touring Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series under the temporary guidance of VVS Laxman, the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already interviewed two candidates for the head coach position: Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman. Gambhir is widely expected to be appointed to the role, but the official announcement has been delayed due to ongoing salary negotiations between him and the board.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that the new coach will take charge from the upcoming Sri Lanka series onwards. The Indian team is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for three T20Is and as many ODIs starting July 27.

Alongside Dravid, the coaching stints of his staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip, have also ended. Once Gambhir's appointment is official, the board will begin the process of hiring other coaches.

It is reported that the BCCI plans to give Gambhir complete freedom in selecting his support staff. A batting coach may not even be hired, as Gambhir himself was a top-level opening batter during his playing days.

Shah stated, "Both coach and selector appointments will be made shortly. CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe but new coach will join from Sri Lanka series."

The Indian team's performance under Dravid has been mixed. They won the Asia Cup in 2022 but failed to reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. Gambhir, if appointed, will be tasked with improving the team's consistency and preparing them for the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2023.

Tags: #Cricket, #IndianCricketTeam, #HeadCoach, #GautamGambhir, #BCCI