Is Gautam Gambhir the Next Head Coach of Team India?

After India’s recent T20 World Cup win in Barbados, the tenure of Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the team is nearing its end. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is now on the lookout for potential replacements. BCCI president Roger Binny has hinted at former opener Gautam Gambhir as a suitable candidate for the role, citing his vast experience in the sport.

Speculation about Gambhir taking over as head coach has been growing, with many former players expressing their support. Gambhir, a 2011 World Cup winner, has shown interest in coaching the Indian team, calling it an honor. However, he has refrained from confirming his chances of replacing Dravid.

Binny stressed the importance of having a coach with extensive playing experience across all formats of cricket. “Gautam Gambhir has a wealth of experience, and if he accepts the role, it would be beneficial for Indian cricket. He is seasoned, which is what India needs. The team needs a coach who has played the game, and Gambhir has experience in all three formats,” Binny stated in an interview.

During Dravid’s leadership, the Indian team achieved significant milestones, reaching the finals of the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship. While they faced defeats in both finals against Australia, Dravid’s guidance played a crucial role in breaking India’s 11-year ICC title drought with the T20 World Cup victory in 2024, showcasing the team’s solidarity and strategic prowess.

“Rahul has been a fantastic cricketer. His contributions to the team have been immense due to the experience he brought. He did a remarkable job with them. It’s unfortunate that he lost a few games, including the last World Cup,” remarked Binny.

Following the World Cup triumph, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 internationals, posing a challenge in finding suitable replacements. Binny acknowledged their remarkable contributions to the team and the task of identifying young talents to fill their shoes.

“They have been exceptional…replacing them immediately will be very challenging…it will be a significant loss at the moment. Hopefully, we can discover some young cricketers from the talent pool of the IPL. It won’t be easy, but we can attempt to groom young players to emulate their success,” he added.