BCCI Approaches Gautam Gambhir For India's Head Coach Role Post-Dravid

Gautam Gambhir, currently mentoring Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2024, has reportedly been approached by the BCCI for the role of India's head coach. The board is keen to bring in the former India opener as Rahul Dravid's extended tenure ends with the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

A report by ESPNcricinfo has revealed that Gautam Gambhir is at the top of BCCI's wishlist for the high-profile head coach position of the Indian cricket team. Further discussions are expected after KKR complete their ongoing IPL 2024 campaign.

Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR became the first team to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs and are poised to finish as the top-ranked team after the league stage. They have won nine of their 13 matches.

Gambhir's Coaching Experience

Gautam Gambhir does not have coaching experience at the international and domestic levels but has mentored two IPL teams. He was the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2022 and 2023, where the team qualified for the playoffs in both seasons.

Gambhir's Cricketing Achievements

The 42-year-old was part of the Indian team that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and the 50-over World Cup in 2011. Gambhir represented India in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20Is.

Leadership at KKR

The former Delhi batter also captained KKR for seven IPL seasons from 2011 to 2017. Under his leadership, they qualified for the playoffs five times and won two titles in 2012 and 2014. KKR also reached the final of the defunct Champions League T20 in 2014.

BCCI's Application Process

Earlier on Monday, the BCCI invited applications for the position of men's national team head coach. The tenure will start from July 1 this year and conclude on December 31, 2027, coinciding with the next ODI World Cup in South Africa. The deadline for applications is May 27, at 6 PM. The IPL 2024 concluded on Sunday, May 26.