BCCI accepts Gautam Gambhir’s demand for full command on Indian teams

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir is set to appear for an interview with Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) in Mumbai on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, from 2-4 PM in regards of getting appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, with current coach, Rahul Dravid’s contract set to expire after the ongoing T20 World Cup.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor emerged as a surprise contender for the job after winning the 2024 IPL title by the Kolkata-based franchise. The BCCI is expected to officially announce Gambhir’s appointment in the next few days, according to a report in Dainik Bhaskar. Gambhir accepted the offer after being contacted by the BCCI, but he also made some requests that the board has approved.

IANS, a news agency, reports that Gambhir would meet with Jay Shah and other individuals. He is almost certain to take over as India’s next cricket team head coach.

“Gauti (Gautam Gambhir) will be traveling today to Mumbai around noon for the interview at BCCI Headquarters. It is almost confirmed that he is going to be the next head coach as the BCCI has agreed to the terms he presented for the head coach. The new head coach of the men’s cricket team will soon be revealed. The meeting is scheduled between 2-4 pm,” IANS quoted a source privy to BCCI as saying. The

Gambhir informed the BCCI, according to the report, that he would take the post on the condition that he choose the support personnel. The board granted his request, and later this month, Gambhir’s position as head coach will be formally announced. According to the article, among the conditions Gambhir made to the BCCI to be appointed head coach include having complete control over the squad and having distinct teams for red-ball and white-ball cricket. Furthermore, all of those criteria have been approved by the highest cricket board.

The deadline was May 27th, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India had previously sent an invitation. The next coach’s contract would last from July 2024 to December 2027 for all three formats: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Rahul Dravid, the current head coach of India, has an extension through the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup this year. Following the November 2021 T20 World Cup, he assumed leadership. Gambhir had expressed his desire to coach the Indian cricket team in June.

“I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honor than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well,” Gambhir had said at an event in Abu Dhabi in June’s first week.

Sanjay Bangar had been replaced as the batting coach by Vikram Rathour during the tenure of Ravi Shastri as head coach. Even when Dravid took Shastri’s position as head coach, Rathour was able to maintain his position in the support staff. The bowling coach is now Paras Mhambrey, while the fielding coach is T Dilip. According to the article, Gambhir intends to alter not only the team but also the support personnel.

Three white-ball ICC championships are expected to include Gambhir leading India; the first being the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is slated to take place in Pakistan. India will participate in the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa after hosting the 2026 T20 World Cup. During Gambhir’s tenure, India may potentially participate in two World Test Championships (WTC) finals in 2025 and 2027.

Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL 2024 championship under Gambhir’s guidance. His leadership at KKR has received a lot of recognition, which has helped him become more and more of a top coaching prospect. In a recent statement, Gambhir claimed that “coaching the national team is the biggest honor.” Gambhir was a member of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup winning squad and their 2011 ODI World Cup squad.

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