Gautam Gambhir Frontrunner To Become India’s New Head Coach, No Foreign names On BCCI’s Radar: Sources

New Delhi: Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian men’s senior team. Dravid, who has been the India head coach since 2021, has decided not to extend his contract which extends after the T20 World Cup 2024. Although Dravid has the option to re-apply for the position but it is learnt that the former India captain is unlikely to do so as he intends to spend more time with his family.

According to the BCCI release, the deadline to apply for the position is May 27. The tenure will be off three and half years, starting from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2027. Based on several media reports, BCCI has several candidates like Gambhir, Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming, VVS Laxman and Mahela Jayawardene on the table to replace Dravid.

However, according to India.com sources, BCCI isn’t looking for a foreign coach and wants to appoint an Indian. In that case, Gambhir and Laxman are the two options left. With Laxman reportedly not interested, the whole spotlight comes to Gambhir.

Moreover, BCCI’s approaching Gambhir on the first place also makes the case stronger for the two-time World Cup-winner (2007 T20, 2011 ODI) for India. After Dravid’s initial contract ended post ODI World Cup last year, it was learnt that Laxman was offered to take up the role time. However, the former Indian cricketer denied at that time.

The job of an Indian head coach comes with a lot of baggage. Besides the loads of expectations, the individual has to be on road for good 10 months, this cutting off from the family for almost the year. Notably, travelling is one of the primary aspects, which many high-profile candidates have denied to take up the role for.

Gambhir is currently the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders in the ongoing Indian Premier League. With KKR qualifying for the final the previous night, it is believed he is going to take a call after the final on May 26. Although Gambhir hasn’t had any coaching experience – be it at international or domestic level – but what he had done as a mentor in the past three seasons of IPL, holds him as the perfect candidate for India’s top job. He guided Lucknow Super Giants to playoffs in 2022 and 2023 before shifting to KKR.