Cricket

Gautam Gambhir, a former Indian cricketer and current mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise, has reportedly expressed his desire to appoint Abhishek Nayar as his assistant coach if he is appointed as the next head coach of Team India.Gambhir, who is considered a frontrunner to replace Rahul Dravid, has a close working relationship with Nayar, who currently serves as his assistant coach at KKR. The duo has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to continue their partnership at the national level.Nayar, a former India ODI player, brings a wealth of experience to the table. He has played a key role in KKR's success, helping the franchise win three IPL titles. He also holds the position of director at the KKR academy.Gambhir's desire to bring Nayar on board as his assistant coach is a testament to their strong working relationship and shared vision for Indian cricket. Nayar's experience and expertise would complement Gambhir's leadership and strategic thinking.However, Gambhir has remained tight-lipped about his prospects of becoming the national team's coach. When asked about it last month, he said, "I don't see that far ahead. It is difficult to answer right now. All I can say is that I'm happy being here, just finished a brilliant journey (and) let's enjoy that. I'm in a very happy space right now."Despite his reluctance to discuss his coaching ambitions, Gambhir's desire to bring Nayar on board as his assistant coach is a clear indication of his plans for the future. If he is appointed as the head coach of Team India, Nayar is expected to play a key role in shaping the team's fortunes.

With Gautam Gambhir's imminent appointment as Team India's head coach, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise is reportedly eyeing Rahul Dravid as his replacement as mentor. Gambhir's departure would leave a significant void at KKR, given his instrumental role in their IPL 2024 title triumph.KKR's management has reportedly identified Dravid as their top choice for the mentor position. The former India captain has a wealth of experience in coaching and mentoring, having previously served as coach of the Delhi Daredevils and head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).Dravid's availability for the IPL is also a factor in KKR's interest. Unlike his role as India's head coach, which required him to travel extensively, the IPL only demands a 2-3 month commitment per year. This aligns with Dravid's desire to spend more time with his family.Dravid's success with India's junior teams, including the Under-19 and India A sides, has further enhanced his reputation as a skilled coach. His ability to nurture young talent and develop winning teams would be invaluable to KKR.While no concrete discussions have taken place between Dravid and KKR, the franchise is reportedly keen to secure his services. Dravid's appointment would be a major coup for KKR, bolstering their coaching staff and providing valuable guidance to their players.

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.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current head coach prospect, has revealed a poignant childhood memory that ignited his passion for winning the World Cup for his country. Recalling the heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 1992 World Cup, Gambhir shared that the defeat left an indelible mark on him, inspiring him to pursue his dream of lifting the coveted trophy.At the tender age of 11, Gambhir witnessed the agonizing one-run defeat at the Gabba in Brisbane. The match, which was reduced to 47 overs due to rain, saw India chasing a revised target of 235. With the equation down to five runs off four balls, Venkatapathy Raju's run-out in the final over shattered India's hopes.The defeat left a profound impact on Gambhir, who was deeply moved by the team's failure. "I remember the 1992 India-Australia World Cup game in Brisbane, which India lost by one run, and I actually remember that I cried the entire night," Gambhir recalled in an interview with Sportskeeda. "I have never cried like that before or after that, and I don't know why."Despite being only 11 years old at the time, Gambhir's determination was unwavering. "I was an 11-year-old at that time. I cried the entire night and said that I wanted to win the World Cup for India," he said. "I said that in 1992 and I was able to fulfill that dream in 2011."Gambhir's dream came to fruition in 2011 when he played a pivotal role in India's World Cup triumph. He was the team's leading run-scorer in the tournament, including a match-winning 97 against Sri Lanka in the final.Four years earlier, Gambhir had also played a key role in India's victory in the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007. He was the team's top-scorer in the final against Pakistan.Gambhir's journey from a heartbroken 11-year-old to a World Cup winner is a testament to his resilience and unwavering belief. His story serves as an inspiration to young athletes and fans alike, reminding them that even the most challenging setbacks can be transformed into opportunities for growth and triumph.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to appoint a new head coach for the Indian cricket team ahead of the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka later this month. Former opener Gautam Gambhir is widely tipped to replace Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after India's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup.BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed the news, revealing that the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) had interviewed and shortlisted two candidates. "Both coach and selector appointments will be made shortly," Shah said. "CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that."The CAC shortlisted Gambhir and former India women's coach WV Raman for the high-profile position. The Indian cricket team will tour Sri Lanka for three T20Is and three ODIs, beginning on July 27.Shah praised key players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their contributions to India's recent T20 World Cup victory. Both players played essential roles in the final against South Africa, leading India to a seven-run victory. Sharma and Kohli have since announced their retirement from T20 international cricket, with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja following suit a day later."It was the same captain last year and here in Barbados," Shah commented. "We won all games except the final in 2023 as Australia played better. This time we worked even harder and played better to win the title. If you look at other teams, experience counts. From Rohit to Virat, all excelled. Experience makes a lot of difference, in World Cups you can't experiment much also. A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game, we saw that yesterday. You look at Rohit's strike rate, it is better than a lot of young players."Shah noted that leadership decisions would be confirmed after discussions with the selectors. "Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them. You asked about Hardik, there were a lot of questions over his form but we and selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself."Shah addressed the transition in the team following the retirement of such significant players. "Transition has already happened with three greats retiring," he added.India, which has faced a series of disappointments in big finals over the past decade, broke their title drought with the recent T20 World Cup victory. Jay Shah expressed optimism about maintaining this winning momentum."I would want India to win all the titles," Shah expressed. "We have the biggest bench strength, only three players from this team are going to Zimbabwe. We can field three teams if the need arises. The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there."While plans for a felicitation ceremony for the victorious squad are underway, they have been delayed due to a hurricane warning that has shut down the airport in Barbados."Like you, we are also stuck here," Shah said. "Once the travel plans are clear, we will think about the felicitation."Shah also confirmed that an India A team would tour Australia later this year, in preparation for the five-Test series Down Under.

As India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the tenure of head coach Rahul Dravid draws to a close. Following the triumph, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny expressed his admiration for the Men in Blue and suggested that former opener Gautam Gambhir would be a valuable asset as India's next coach.India's second T20 World Cup victory, achieved by a narrow seven-run margin over South Africa, has sparked speculation about the next head coach. With Dravid's contract expiring after the 2024 T20 World Cup in June, Gambhir has emerged as a strong contender, backed by several former cricketers.Gambhir has expressed his eagerness to coach the Indian team, stating that it would be an honor. However, he has remained tight-lipped about the possibility of replacing his former teammate Dravid. Binny emphasized the need for a head coach with experience in all formats of cricket."Gautam Gambhir has got a lot of experience, and if he takes the job, it's definitely going to be a good thing for Indian cricket," Binny said. "He is experienced, that's what India needs. India needs a coach who played the game, and he has played in all three formats of the game."Following India's World Cup victory, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 internationals. Binny acknowledged the difficulty of replacing such exceptional players but expressed hope that young players would step up to fill their shoes."They have been outstanding...it is going to be very difficult to replace them immediately...it is going to be a great loss at the moment," Binny said. "Hopefully, we should get some young cricketers, the IPL is full of talent. It's not going to be easy, but we can try and get some young cricketers to do what they have done."Under Dravid's guidance, Team India made significant strides, reaching the finals of the ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship before falling to Australia in both events. India's 11-year ICC title drought ended with their triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, a testament to the team's unity and meticulous planning."Rahul as a cricketer has been fantastic," Binny said. "His contribution to the team has been tremendous because of the experience he brought to the table...he really did a fantastic job with them. It's just unfortunate that he lost a few games, he lost the last World Cup."

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has hinted that Gautam Gambhir is likely to succeed Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian cricket team after the T20 World Cup."I think he will be the next coach (for Team India)," Ganguly told reporters.Dravid's tenure as head coach ends after the T20 World Cup, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is in the process of making a decision on his replacement. Dravid has expressed his desire not to renew his contract."Every game I have coached for India is important. This is the last tournament in job. I have enjoyed coaching India, it is great to work with these boys. It is a special job. But there are schedules where I find myself that at this stage of my life, I won't be able to apply," Dravid had said earlier.Gambhir is considered a frontrunner for the role of head coach. He was a successful left-handed opener for the Indian team and has served as the team mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). KKR won their third IPL trophy this season under Gambhir's guidance.Ganguly praised the Indian team for reaching the T20 World Cup final. "To get to two World Cup finals in 7 months speaks volumes about the capability & strength of the team...They will not make any changes to the team and this is Rohit Sharma's leadership style. It will be the same team...I wish they win it tomorrow," the 51-year-old added.India will face South Africa in the T20 World Cup final on Saturday at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, has emerged as the frontrunner to become the next head coach of Team India. This speculation has been fueled by his recent success as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who won the IPL 2024 title under his guidance.Gambhir's appointment would mark a significant shift in the Indian team's coaching philosophy. Known for his aggressive and competitive nature, Gambhir is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the team. His ability to inspire and motivate players, as evidenced by his support for Ravichandran Ashwin during his early days in the Indian team, is seen as a key asset.Ashwin, in his recent book launch event, spoke highly of Gambhir's character. He described him as a "very misunderstood person" who is often unfairly labeled as a villain. Ashwin emphasized Gambhir's unwavering desire to win and his ability to bring out the best in his players.Gambhir's potential appointment has also sparked comparisons with former India women's coach WV Raman, who is also in contention for the role. Interestingly, Gambhir and Raman worked together at KKR in 2014, when the franchise won the IPL title.However, Gambhir has remained coy about his future plans. Speaking at an event hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, he said, "I just finished a brilliant journey (with KKR), let's enjoy that."Despite his reluctance to confirm his intentions, Gambhir's credentials and the support he has garnered from within the Indian cricket fraternity make him a strong candidate for the head coach position. His appointment would be a bold move by the BCCI, but it could potentially usher in a new era of success for Team India.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, has emerged as a strong contender for the position of head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. With Rahul Dravid's contract expiring after the ongoing T20 World Cup, Gambhir has reportedly applied for the job and presented his demands to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).During his interview with the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), Gambhir laid down five conditions for accepting the role. Firstly, he demanded complete control over the cricketing operations of the team, without any interference from the board. Secondly, he insisted on selecting his own support staff, including batting, fielding, and bowling coaches.Thirdly, Gambhir proposed a bold move to drop four senior players - Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammad Shami - if they fail to help India win the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan. However, it remains unclear whether this would apply to all three formats of the game.Fourthly, Gambhir suggested creating a separate team for Test cricket. Finally, he emphasized the need to start preparing a roadmap for the 2027 ODI World Cup from the outset.Gambhir's conditions have raised questions about the future of the four senior players. Kohli and Sharma have already faced uncertainty over their place in the team, and Gambhir's appointment could further jeopardize their chances of selection.It is also worth noting that India could participate in the World Test Championship final next year. If they fail to win the Test mace, it could lead to the exclusion of some of the senior players from the Test team.