Gautam Gambhir Expresses Interest In Replacing Rahul Dravid As India’s New Head Coach: Reports
New Delhi: Gautam Gambhir replacing Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team may soon become a reality after the former reportedly showed his interest in taking up the job post-T20 World Cup 2024. Dravid, who has been working as India head since 2021, will step down from his position after the mega extravaganza that starts next month in USA and West Indies. The deadline by the BCCI for applications is May 27, the day after the IPL 2024 final.
According to a report at Dainik Jagran, Gambhir, who is currently the mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL, has expressed his interest in taking up the role as the two-time World Cup winner believes the India head coach’s job is position of honour.
However, Gambhir, who is currently mentoring Kolkata Knight Riders, is yet to apply for the post as he is currently focussing on the IPL 2o24 final. KKR will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the summit clash on Sunday (May 26) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
It is expected that Gambhir will be having a meeting with BCCI secretary Jay Shah and president Roger Binny in Chennai after the IPL 2024 final before filling the application form. In case, Gambhir takes up the India job, he will have to leave KKR after just one year.
It was under Gambhir, that KKR lifted the IPL twice in 2012 and 2014. Post retirement, Gmabhir got involved into politics before returning to the cricket field with Lucknow Super Giants as a mentor in 2022 and 2023. He returned to KKR before the 2024 season after co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan insisted Gambhir to return to his franchise.
It was also learnt that Gambhir is yet to speak with SRK on the India coach’s job. Before Gambhir, BCCI had reportedly apprpached VVS Laxman to replace Dravid. But the former India Test stalwart didn’t wish to take up the role and is happy working as the National Cricket Academy head in Bengaluru.
For the unknown, whoever takes up the India head coach’s job, will have to stay with the team for a period of three and half years, till the ODI World Cup to be held in South Africa in 2027.