Gautam Gambhir, VVX Laxman Among 5 Possible Candidates To Replace Rahul Dravid As India Head Coach

New Delhi: Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, the BCCI has invited applications for the position of men’s senior team head coach. The position will go vacant after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ends at the end of the mega event in the USA and West Indies. Although Dravid won’t be given an extension, but he can re-apply if he wants to do so. The BCCI had formally invited applications on Monday with the last date for application is May 27 (6 PM IST). Under the guidance of Dravid and the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India got a decent amount of success but were not able to cross the finishing line. Since Dravid joined as the head coach, India played the semifinal of 2022 T20 World Cup and finals of World Test Championship and ODI World Cup, both in 2023. Let’s take a look at the five possible candidates to replace Dravid if he wishes not to re-apply.

Justin Langer: The former Australian head coach and currently the head coach at Lucknow Super Giants, could be one of the favorites to replace Dravid. Langer played a key role in the revival of Australian cricket after it got involved in the infamous Sandpapergate in 2018. It was under Langer, that Australia won their first ever T20 World Cup in 2021.

VVS Laxman: Another strong candidate to replace Dravid is his former teammate VVS Laxman. One of the stalwarts of Indian cricket, Laxman is currently serving as the National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief and had served as interim head coach of the Indian team on three occasions when Dravid took a break. Laxman had also served as a mentor to Sunrisers Hyderabad in Indian Premier League previously.

Gautam Gambhir: Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir could also be one of the major options for the BCCI. The former India opener who played crucial roles in the finals of 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cups, helping the team to win on both occasions, worked as the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants for two seasons in 2022 and 2023. Notably, LSG qualified into IPL playoffs on both occasions and also guided KKR to IPL 2024 playoffs.

Virender Sehwag: Former India opener Virender Sehwag is another option to replace Dravid. Sehwag’s attacking approach could also transform Indian cricket in the same way as Brendon McCullam has done with the England Test team.

Andy Flower: Andy Flower could also be a decent choice if the BCCI wants to go with a foreign coach as an option. The former Zimbabwe cricketer is currently working as the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2024. After having a disastrous start of the season, RCB made a remarkable comeback and won five straight games and are eying for the qualification to the playoffs. Flower had also served as the head coach for England previously and has been part of a number of franchises around the world.