Gautam Gambhir is the front-runner to take over as Team India’s next head coach from Rahul Dravid.
In the search for the future head coach of the Indian cricket team, it seems that Gautam Gambhir has become the clear favorite among the BCCI. Rahul Dravid’s tenure is coming to an end with the Twenty20 World Cup, and several hopefuls, including Justin Langer and Stephen Fleming, have emerged as possible successors to The Wall. But none of them are as convincing as Virat Kohli, who guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to their fourth IPL final on Tuesday in Ahmedabad, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets.
Although Gambhir and the BCCI have yet to speak, the Times of India has reported that they are anticipated to do so during KKR’s visit to Ahmedabad. You never know; the conversation might have already happened, and the result remains unknown. The role’s demands are the only thing standing in Gambhir’s way. Until the 2027 World Cup, India’s next head coach will be in charge for the next three years. During that period, Gambhir, traveling with the squad and mentoring KKR, won’t have any opportunity to spend time with his family. As Wasim Akram noted, Gambhir alone has the final say.
“There has yet to be any official correspondence with the possible applicants. These coaches are all waiting and considering their choices. However, Gambhir’s shares appear to have increased. Gambhir is currently with KKR for the IPL playoffs in Ahmedabad; the board officials would probably speak with him there, a BCCI source told TOI.
The Gambhir-Kohli rift is now history.
The study also eliminated the chance that Gambhir’s good relationship with some of the team’s elders, most notably Virat Kohli, would be a liability. One year after Gambhir and Kohli’s unpleasant altercation during the 2018 Indian Premier League, which was among the league’s most contentious and unprofessional moments, the two former Delhi and India colleagues appear to be getting along just fine. Last month, when Gambhir and Kohli buried the hatchet, hugged it out, and let go of their differences, any tension between them was eliminated. After the IPL last year, Kohli and Gambhir were forced to resolve any concerns they may have had.
“It can be verified that, despite disagreements, Virat Kohli and Gambhir have always gotten along well off the field. The story added that the two were forced to sit down and resolve any dispute, if there was one, even after their altercation during an IPL match the previous year.
The BCCI places a significant premium on the coach-player relationship. In light of the discord between Anil Kumble and Virat Kohli in 2017, the board is rumored to be particularly picky when choosing the coach. Behind the scenes at KKR, Gambhir is an intelligent character who gets along with both young and old. His disagreements with Kohli are now history; Gambhir gets along well with skipper Rohit Sharma and players like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah.
Four days remain till the application deadline on May 26. The BCCI has time to name India’s next head coach, but the choice may be made during the T20 World Cup.