KKR vs SRH: Gautam Gambhir inching closer towards becoming next India head coach

Former India batter Gautam Gambhir is inching closer to replacing Rahul Dravid as team India’s next head coach after the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. 

The narrative about Gautam Gambhir taking over as India’s next head coach is catching heat every day. The topic was further fueled by a comment from BCCI secretary Jay Shah. He cleared all the rumors and confirmed that they did not approach any overseas individual to take up the coaching role. 

With no overseas individual being looked at, will Gautam Gambhir succeed Rahul Dravid? 

Jay Shah mentioned that BCCI never had a word with an Australian like Justin Langer or Ricky Ponting about India’s coaching role. Although both had revealed about being approached by the Indian board during the IPL, Shah’s statement has cleared all the rumors about a foreign coach taking up. 

The Honorable Secretary also added that the Indian head coaching role is an exclusive job wherein, only an Indian can find success. Because it will just not be about managing the Senior team or setting up tactics. It will be about tracing and unearthing unknown names that bring themselves in the domestic circuit year in and year out.  

“Neither I nor the BCCI have approached any former Australian cricketer with a coaching offer. The reports circulating in certain media sections are completely incorrect. We are focused on identifying individuals who possess a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure.” – 

In such a case, Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir comes forward as a reliable name. He has won the IPL multiple times as captain and is currently one win away from winning the title as part of a coaching staff. But at the same time, he also hasn’t managed or coached a domestic team on a year-long basis.

Gautam Gambhir is known for taking up new challenges but will it be possible for him to be away from his family and his comfort? Will he want to get back to the Indian dressing room as the head coach and use his tactical and management acumen to start a new era of Indian cricket? 

If he does, then India will get a very good candidate for the role but it also remains to be seen if he quits the Kolkata Knight Riders mentor role. Gautam Gambhir knows how to build a team, run a team, and find success with the team. It was evident throughout his Indian Premier League career since 2011 after the Delhi Daredevils released him. 

What next for Team India? 

As the talk of Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the head coach catches heat, the Indian team led by Rohit Sharma is gearing up for a massive challenge. After a tumultuous IPL 2024 edition, all the Indian players are setting up to take the flight to the USA and West Indies for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. 

Every member of the 15-man T20 World Cup squad is out of the tournament with Rinku Singh the only player from the reserves list to play the Finale tomorrow.