The only applicant for the prominent position of India’s new head coach is none other than former opener Gautam Gambhir. Following Rahul Dravid‘s statement last month that he will not be continuing beyond the current ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) opened applications.
The former is the last candidate left for one of the most sought-after positions in international cricket, after the deadline expired on May 27.
Dravid, who assumed the job in 2021, left the position vacant after he chose not to request a postponement because of his demanding travel schedule. Throughout his tenure, Dravid has led the side to multiple World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals in 2023, among other noteworthy events.
KKR won their third IPL championship when Gautam Gambhir was their mentor.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 completed recently, and Gambhir’s impressive tenure with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) preceded his appointment as head coach.
His guidance helped KKR win their third IPL championship, snapping a ten-year losing streak. Thanks to his widespread accolades for his tactical acumen and ability to foster a pleasant team environment, the 42-year-old is a serious contender for a spot on the national squad.
As per a report published in Hindustan Times, Gambhir would be interviewed by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) consisting of Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik over a Zoom call on Tuesday, June 18. Following the presentation of their recommendations to the BCCI, the announcement will be made formally.
There aren’t many candidates for the India head coach position, which serves as a reminder of the demanding nature of the job—long travel and a demanding schedule, among other things. Since franchise leagues provide greater work-life balance and substantial compensation, many prominent coaches and former players have chosen the shorter contracts.