The deadline for applying for the position of Indian men’s cricket team chief coach expired on Monday, but the BCCI and Gautam Gambhir, the top candidate on its wishlist, have chosen to remain silent on the situation.
After guiding the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title on Sunday, Gambhir’s name is gaining popularity.
While neither party has made any public statements, the BCCI does not currently have many high-quality possibilities.
It is known that no big foreign names have sought the position, especially since BCCI Secretary Jay Shah stated that the Board is looking for someone who has come through the ranks and is familiar with the domestic structure.
It is safe to say that the BCCI’s primary objective was VVS Laxman, the head of the National Cricket Academy, but the stylish Hyderabadi seemed uninterested in a full-time role that demands him to be accessible for ten months of the year.
“The deadline is acceptable, but the BCCI brass would prefer to take extra time before deciding. The team will concentrate on World T20 for the majority of June. Afterwards, seniors will rest from travels to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, when any of the NCA’s senior coaches can accompany the team. So what’s the hurry?” a BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Furthermore, KKR‘s primary owner, Shah Rukh Khan, has a close relationship with Gambhir, and leaving an IPL franchise that has become an extension of his identity is complex.
Another factor to consider is how senior India players in New York feel about Gambhir’s ability to succeed Rahul Dravid.