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Former Cup hero Gautam Gambhir is all set to replace Rahul Dravid as the next head coach of the Indian cricket team.
For the unversed, for the last few months, Gambhir has been linked with the Indian coaching job, with the current head coach Rahul Dravid’s contract set to end after the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
Rahul Dravid, whose BCCI contract was extended after the ODI World Cup last year, is on his last assignment with the Men in Blue, i.e., the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the West Indies.
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Gautam Gambhir to replace Rahul Dravid as India’s next head coach
As per a report by Dainik Jagran, the BCCI will make Gautam Gambhir’s appointment official in the coming days. The report further stated that Gambhir will select his team of support staff, including the batting coach, bowling coach, and fielding coach.
Currently, Rahul Dravid is accompanied by Vikram Rathour as the batting coach, Paras Mhambrey as the bowling coach, and T Dilip as the fielding coach. Vikram has been associated with the Men in Blue, replacing Sanjay Bangar during Ravi Shastri’s tenure. Rahul Dravid picked Paras and Dilip.
According to several media reports, several names of former cricketers were in the fray for the head coach role. The list also included former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, former Australia coach Justin Langer, former England coach Andy Flower, and former Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. However, the BCCI has zeroed down on Gambhir.
After being approached by the BCCI for the head coach role, Gambhir accepted the offer but he laid down a few demands, which have now been accepted by the Indian board.
“We have held talks with Gambhir to become the head coach of the Indian team. He will replace the outgoing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup,” a BCCI source privy to the developments told Dainik Bhaskar.
As per the reports, Gambhir’s condition to accept the offer was that he would accept the job if he got to decide the support staff.
Under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata Knight Riders clinched the IPL 2024 title. His coaching tactics at KKR have been widely praised by everyone. During a recent event, Gautam Gambhir was asked about the coaching role for India. Responding to this, Gambhir said:
“I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well.”
