NEWS
Follow UsGautam Gambhir, who is most likely to replace Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach, has now officially applied for the position. According to ESPNcricinfo, the former Indian batter was interviewed by the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising former India cricketers Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape and Sulakshana Naik, on June 18 (Tuesday).
The report also said that former India Women’s head coach WV Raman also met with the concerned people for the role.
Gambhir has no prior experience coaching at the international level, but has mentored Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under his mentorship, LSG reached the playoffs in both 2022 & 2023. KKR, meanwhile, won the last edition of the IPL.
Gambhir has long been regarded as a ‘serial winner’ for his accomplishments as a player. He was part of the World Cup-winning Indian side in both 2007 and 2011, and top-scored in the finals of the respective competitions. Then, in the IPL, he led a reeling KKR to two titles in the space of three years.
“Look, I would love to coach the Indian team,” Gambhir had said recently. “There is no bigger honour. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians. And more across the globe as well. And when you represent India, how can it get bigger than that?"
Dravid and team India are currently in the West Indies for the 2024 T20 World Cup. They remained unbeaten in the group stage and have qualified for the Super 8s. Dravid took this coaching role after India crashed out of the group stage in the 2021 edition of the World Cup. He replaced Ravi Shastri and this is his third World Cup as India’s coach.
Team India reached the 50-over World Cup final in November but are in the midst of a long trophy drought, having last won an ICC title back in 2013.
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