Gautam Gambhir Frontrunner to Become India's Next Head Coach

With the tenure of current India head coach Rahul Dravid set to expire after the T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly identified former batter Gautam Gambhir as the frontrunner to take over the high-profile role.

According to sources, Gambhir has emerged as the sole candidate to have applied for the head coach position. The former opening batter is expected to appear for an interview before the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) via Zoom on Tuesday.

The BCCI had invited applications for the post in mid-May, with the deadline set for May 27. Gambhir, who is currently the mentor of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is believed to have given the green light to the board after some of his demands were accepted.

The CAC, comprising former cricketers Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjpe, and Sulakshana Naik, will also conduct interviews for the vacant selector's spot from the North Zone. Currently, chief selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar and Salil Ankola are both from the West Zone, with the new selector from the North Zone set to replace the latter.

After conducting the interviews, the CAC will make recommendations to the BCCI regarding the head coach and the new selector's post. The tenure of the new coach, which is likely to be Gambhir, will commence in July 2024 and extend to December 31, 2027, coinciding with the next ODI World Cup.

Gambhir's appointment as head coach would mark a significant shift in the BCCI's approach to team management. The former cricketer is known for his aggressive and vocal leadership style, which could bring a fresh perspective to the Indian team.

However, Gambhir's lack of experience as a head coach at the international level could be a potential concern. He has previously served as the mentor of KKR and the Delhi Capitals, but his ability to handle the pressures of coaching a national team remains to be seen.

Tags: #GautamGambhir, #IndiaHeadCoach, #RahulDravid, #BCCI, #CricketAdvisoryCommittee