India team head coach announcement soon: Will Gautam Gambhir take over? | News

Gautam Gambhir. Photo: Sportzpics for IPL

Indian men’s cricket team is set to get a new head coach soon as the most likely candidate Gautam Gambhir second round of interviews will take place on June 19. 

However, it was not only Gambhir whom the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) interviewed, comprised of Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjpe and Sulakshana Naik. 

The reports were floating in that former India player and women’s team coach WV Raman was also interviewed by CAC on Tuesday (June 18).

What happened in Gambhir’s first round of interviews?

The specifics of his interaction with CAC chairman Malhotra and his colleagues Paranjpe and Sulakshana were not immediately known. But it is believed that the focus was on the Indian cricket team’s roadmap for the next three years, which will feature three ICC tournaments across formats.

What are the demands of Gautam Gambhir before accepting the head coach role?

According to media reports, Gambhir has asked for full command of the Indian team, which means the appointment of support staff at his behest. 

There are also reports floating in that former South Africa cricketer Jonty Rhodes could be the new fielding coach of India. Rhodes has worked closely with Gambhir when the latter was the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants.

Gambhir also sought separate teams for white-ball and red-ball. which was agreed upon by BCCI’s Apex Council.

So when will the India head coach announcement take place?

With Gambhir’s candidature almost final, the BCCI could make the announcement any time between June 19-21. 

BCCI secretary Jay Shah is expected to inform the Apex Council before making formal announcement of India new head coach.

The new coach’s contract would be valid for all three formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is—from July 2024 to December 2027.

What will be Gambhir’s first assignment if he gets Team India’s top job?

After the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian cricket team is set to travel to Zimbabwe for a five-match T20 International series, starting July 6, 2024.

Given the short gap between T20 World Cup and Zimbabwe, the selectors are expected to name a second-string India squad for the African nation tour. 

What next for Rahul Dravid after T20 World Cup 2024?

Rahul Dravid’s tenure of India head coach is set to end after the conclusion of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Dravid is expected to link-up with any of Indian Premier League franchises as reports floating in that he is in talks with multiple IPL teams

First Published: Jun 19 2024 | 10:14 AM IST