Cricket

The North Zone selector's position in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to become vacant with the departure of former India speedster Salil Ankola. Several candidates are vying for the crucial role, including former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas, current junior national selection panel member Krishan Mohan Sharma, ex-Haryana cricketer Ajay Ratra, former Punjab all-rounder Reetinder Singh Sodhi, and ex-Delhi off-spinner Nikhil Chopra.Ankola, who may transition to the junior selection setup, will be required to relinquish his current position as a national selector due to the presence of two individuals from West Zone (Mumbai) in the senior selection panel. The BCCI leadership is reportedly considering appointing Ankola as the chairman of the junior selection committee.Among the contenders, Manhas and Sharma are considered the leading candidates. Manhas, who has the backing of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, is a former Delhi skipper with a strong track record. Sharma, a current member of the junior national selection panel, has also garnered support from an influential former BCCI office-bearer.Ratra, a former Haryana cricketer, has previously been interviewed for the role. Sodhi, an ex-Punjab all-rounder, and Chopra, a former Delhi off-spinner, are also in contention.If appointed, Sharma could serve a two-year term as per the BCCI constitution, which permits a total of five years for individuals who have been members of both the junior and senior selection committees.The BCCI is expected to make a decision on the North Zone selector's position soon. The appointment will be crucial in shaping the future of cricket in the region.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. Gambhir has formally applied for the position and attended an interview with the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) on Tuesday.The CAC, comprising former India cricketers Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik, is responsible for shortlisting applicants for the head coach position. The BCCI has not disclosed the number of applications received for the post.Gambhir's application comes after informal discussions with the BCCI during the IPL 2024 season, where he played a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders' third title triumph. He previously served as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants in the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons, guiding the team to the playoffs both times.Speaking at an event in Abu Dhabi on June 1, Gambhir expressed his desire to coach India. "There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team," he said. "You are representing 140 crore Indians. And more across the globe as well. And when you represent India, how can it get bigger than that?"Gambhir became the frontrunner for the job after his former India teammate VVS Laxman declined the BCCI's offer to become the head coach. Laxman is currently the director of cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.Dravid, who took over from Ravi Shastri after the T20 World Cup in November 2021, initially signed on for two years until the 2023 ODI World Cup. He later agreed to extend his tenure until the ongoing T20 World Cup.The BCCI has stated that the new head coach will be appointed for a three-and-a-half-year term, from July 2024 to December 2027, and will be responsible for the team in all three formats of the game.

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir is poised to become the next head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. Gambhir is set to interview for the position in Mumbai on May 29th with BCCI secretary Jay Shah and other officials.Sources close to the BCCI have indicated that Gambhir is the frontrunner for the role and that the BCCI has agreed to his terms for the position. These terms include full command over the team and the establishment of separate teams for white-ball and red-ball cricket.Gambhir's appointment would mark a significant shift in the BCCI's approach to coaching. Under current head coach Rahul Dravid, the team has struggled to maintain consistency across formats. Gambhir's proposal for separate teams aims to address this issue by allowing for specialized coaching and player development.Gambhir's credentials as a player and his experience as a commentator and analyst make him a strong candidate for the role. He was a key member of India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup winning teams. He has also been vocal about his desire to coach the national team, stating that "there is no bigger honour than coaching your national team."The BCCI's decision to appoint Gambhir as head coach is expected to be announced shortly after the interview. If appointed, Gambhir will take over the reins of the team from July 2024, with his contract extending until December 2027.

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.

Legendary South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes, renowned for his exceptional fielding skills, is reportedly being considered for the role of India's next fielding coach. According to Revsportz, Rhodes' name has been circulating within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as a potential candidate.Rhodes' fielding prowess during his playing career was unparalleled, earning him a reputation as one of the greatest fielders in cricket history. His acrobatic catches and lightning-fast reflexes made him a formidable presence on the field.While no formal approach has been made to Rhodes, his name has been discussed as the BCCI prepares to finalize India's next head coach. Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach will conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024, and the BCCI is actively seeking his replacement.Former India batter Gautam Gambhir has emerged as the frontrunner for the head coach position. According to media reports, Gambhir has agreed to the BCCI's offer, subject to certain demands. The announcement of his appointment is expected in the coming days.Rhodes previously applied for the fielding coach position in 2019, but the BCCI opted to retain R Sridhar. However, with the support staff typically selected by the head coach, Gambhir's appointment could pave the way for Rhodes to join the Indian team.Meanwhile, Paras Mhambrey and T Dilip currently serve as India's bowling and fielding coaches, respectively. Gambhir is expected to bring his own support staff, potentially leading to changes in the team's coaching setup.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opening batsman, is poised to take over as the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. Gambhir's appointment has been in the works for months, with current coach Rahul Dravid's contract expiring after the ongoing T20 World Cup.According to a report in Dainik Bhaskar, Gambhir's appointment will be made official by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the coming days. Gambhir reportedly accepted the offer after being approached by the BCCI, but not before laying down certain demands that were accepted by the board."We have held talks with Gambhir to become the head coach of the Indian team. He will replace the outgoing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup," a BCCI source told Dainik Bhaskar.The report also states that Gambhir informed the BCCI that he would only accept the job if he had the authority to select his support staff. This demand was met, and the board is expected to formally announce Gambhir's appointment as head coach later this month.Under Gambhir's guidance, the Kolkata Knight Riders won the Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2024. His leadership at KKR has been widely praised, contributing to his growing reputation as a top coaching candidate.During a recent event, Gambhir expressed his desire to coach the Indian team. "There is no bigger honor than coaching the national team," he said. "You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well."Gambhir was a member of India's T20 World Cup-winning team in 2007 and the 2011 ODI World Cup side. He is expected to make changes to both the support staff and the team itself.

Gautam Gambhir Emerges as Frontrunner for Indian Cricket Team Head Coach RoleFormer Indian cricket captain Gautam Gambhir has emerged as a leading contender for the position of head coach of the Indian cricket team, according to media reports. Gambhir's successful tenure as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the IPL 2024 title under his guidance, has reportedly caught the attention of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).Former India head coach Anil Kumble has praised Gambhir's credentials but cautioned that coaching the national side presents unique challenges. "You need somebody with a strong demeanor and continuity," Kumble told ESPNCricinfo. "Rahul [Dravid] has done a fantastic job, and hopefully, he has a swansong with the World Cup. But you also have to consider that some senior players are nearing the end of their careers."Kumble emphasized the need for a smooth transition and continuity in the team. "You need players who can go through the transition period and ensure India doesn't miss out on quality in the bowling and batting departments," he said. "You pick and choose and transition through."Despite Gambhir's familiarity with many senior players in the Indian team, Kumble believes that this factor will not be a major consideration. "Today, you have been a part of the system in some form or the other," Kumble said. "It doesn't matter that much. What you look at is the candidature and not whether this particular coach has a background of playing with the players."Kumble stressed the importance of choosing a candidate with the right stature and credibility to handle the demands of the role. "Someone who is not afraid to take those calls," he said.Gambhir's potential appointment as head coach would mark a significant shift in the team's leadership. His aggressive and vocal style as a player could bring a fresh perspective to the team's approach. However, he would also face the challenge of managing a diverse group of players and navigating the pressures of international cricket.

Shardul Thakur Undergoes Successful Foot Surgery, Sidelined for Three MonthsIndian fast bowler Shardul Thakur has undergone a successful foot surgery on Wednesday, which is expected to keep him out of competitive cricket for at least three months. The surgery was performed to address a recurring injury that has plagued Thakur for several years.Thakur shared a post-surgery photo on his Instagram account, captioned "operated successfully." This is his second foot surgery, having undergone a similar procedure in 2019. The injury resurfaced during India's tour of South Africa in December-January, forcing him to miss the second Test in Cape Town.Despite the injury, Thakur managed to return to action in the Ranji Trophy last season, helping Mumbai win their 42nd title. However, it is understood that he had requested the BCCI for longer breaks between matches to ensure adequate recovery and preparation time.In the recently concluded IPL season, Thakur played for Chennai Super Kings, but his performance was hampered by the injury. He managed only five wickets in nine outings at an economy rate of 9.75.As a Grade C annual contract holder of the BCCI, Thakur's treatment expenses were covered by the board. There is a possibility that he could return to action before or right on time for the upcoming domestic season.Thakur's absence will be a significant blow to the Indian team, as he has been a key member of the bowling attack in recent years. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes him a valuable asset in all formats of the game.The BCCI and the Indian team management will be hoping that Thakur recovers fully from his surgery and returns to his best form as soon as possible.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the schedule for the 2024-25 domestic cricket season, prioritizing player well-being and the development of women's cricket. The season will commence with the Duleep Trophy on September 5, followed by the Irani Cup and the first five league matches of the Ranji Trophy.The white-ball tournaments, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy, will follow. The Ranji Trophy will then resume with the final two league matches and the knockout stages.To ensure player welfare, the BCCI has incorporated an extended gap between matches, allowing for ample recovery time. Additionally, all Women's challenger tournaments will feature teams selected by the national selectors.The CK Nayudu Trophy will undergo a revamp, introducing a new points system that rewards balanced performances in batting and bowling. The toss will also be abolished for CK Nayudu Trophy matches, with the visiting team choosing whether to bat or bowl first.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasized the importance of player well-being and the development of women's cricket in the scheduling process. He stated, "To prioritize player welfare, an extended gap between matches has been incorporated, ensuring ample time for recovery and sustained peak performance."The new points system in the CK Nayudu Trophy aims to encourage all-round performances and will be evaluated post-season for potential implementation in the Ranji Trophy in subsequent seasons.