Former Indian World Cup-winning cricketer Gautam Gambhir admitted that “there is no big honour than coaching your national team” and he would love to coach the Men in Blue. The statement came amidst all the rumours that he is set to replace Rahul Dravid as Team India’s head coach following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), a few weeks ago, released the application for the post of head coach in the Indian team, the deadline for which is over.
To begin the hunt, the BCCI had a string of options to look at as the potential head coach of the Indian team. The likes of Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming and Mahela Jayawardene along with Gautam Gambhir were frontrunners for the role.
However, the foreign individuals didn’t throw their hat as being the coach of the Indian team requires a great deal of commitment and it demands the person to be on the road for close to 10 months a year.
The foreign coaches, though, revealed that the BCCI officials contacted them to get the idea if they wish to take up the coaching role, Jay Shah has refuted all such claims asserting that the board hasn’t contacted anyone.
Meanwhile, with the exit of all foreign coaches, Gautam Gambhir appears to be the front-runner to take the head coach’s role in the India’s national men’s team.
Sharing his views on his prospect of coaching the Indian Team, 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.”
“I have not answered this question, although a lot of people have asked me. But I have to answer you now. It is 140 crore Indians who will help India win the World Cup. If everyone starts praying for us and we start playing and representing them, India will win the World Cup. The most important thing is to be fearless,” Gambhir answered when enquired about talking up the coaching role.
If the reports are believed, Gautam Gambhir has been finalised as the next head coach of the Indian team. He is set to replace Rahul Dravid, whose tenure will come to an end following the completion of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Notably, Gautam Gambhir was reunited with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2024 in the capacity of the mentor. Gambhir has been highly touted to write the script of KKR’s resurrection in the IPL 2024.
The Shreyas Iyer-led KKR had a memorable outing in the IPL 2024 which turned out to be a big season for them. Breaking all the shackles, the Knight Riders went on to clinch their third IPL title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the IPL 2024 final by 8 wickets.
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