Rahul Dravid’s tenure as Team India head coach came to an end after the T20 World Cup 2024. The legend, who had not won the World Cup as a player, finally lifted the coveted title as a coach following India’s 7-run victory over South Africa in the final on Saturday (June 29).
Team India advanced significantly under Dravid’s guidance, making it to the finals of the ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship before falling to Australia in both events.
India’s 11-year ICC title drought ended with their triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, which was made possible by their team’s unity and the methodical procedures Dravid and Co had put in place.
Dravid, who had taken over the role after Ravi Shastri’s exit in 2021 on a two-year contract, extended his tenure for further 7 months in December 2023 with T20 World Cup to be his last assignment as head coach.
The 51-year-old had the chance to extend his stay, but has already informed BCCI he has no intention to re-apply for the job again at “this stage in my life”, opening up the head coach role for a new face.
Who will be next Team India head coach?
While reports point towards a former World Cup winner to take the role, there have been rumours of some former Australian players Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer as well as New Zealand great Stephen Fleming being in the race.
But a foreign coach appointment was not in the plans of the BCCI as revealed by Seceretary Jay Shah, who dismissed approaches for any of the international coaches.
The India cricket board has advertised the vacancy since early May and have reportedly received only one application for the job. And it’s no hidden secret that former opener Gautam Gambhir is the one likely to take on the role after Dravid’s triumphant exit.
Gambhir, who has been the mentor of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 champions Kolkata Knight Riders, is a strong and only contender for coaching the national team, according to Indian media.
As Dravid’s time with the Men in Blue was slowly reaching towards it’s end, Gambhir has remained tight-lipped about the possibility of replacing his former teammate.
However, the BCCI president Roger Binny gave away the strongest of hints about Gambhir possibly being the next Team India head coach after the team’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 final on Saturday (June 29).
Binny said India need someone who have experience in playing all formats of cricket as the head coach. All of these agurs well for a Gambhir appointment in the next few days.
“Gautam Gambhir has got a lot of experience and if he takes the job it’s definitely going to be a good thing for Indian cricket. He is experienced that’s what India needs. India needs a coach who played the game, and he has played in all three formats of the game,” Binny was quoted as saying to ANI.
Apart from Dravid, it will also be the end of the tenure for batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach T Dilip. The trio also are unlikely to feature under Gambhir, who has reportedly asked BCCI that he will pick his backroom team.
As per reports, Gambhir could link up with former pacers Irfan Pathan or Zaheer Khan, the contenders for the bowling coach role, while Jony Rhodes could come in as the fielding coach. All the appointments will be made in the coming days.
