Deadline to apply for Team India head coach post ends; know who is in race

Team India head coach: The deadline to apply for the Indian men’s cricket team chief coach position ended on Monday, yet both the BCCI and Gautam Gambhir, the top candidate, have remained silent on the matter. Gambhir, fresh off leading Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL victory, is gaining momentum as a favourite for the role. Despite no official statements, it appears the BCCI has limited quality options, especially with no notable foreign candidates applying after BCCI Secretary Jay Shah emphasised the need for someone familiar with India’s domestic structure.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah is clear on selecting candidate who knows the domestic structure.
Pic credit: Google 

VVS Laxman, head of the National Cricket Academy, was a primary target, but has shown reluctance due to the full-time commitment required. A BCCI source said there’s no rush to make a decision  on Team India head coach, given the team’s focus on the World T20 in June and subsequent tours where senior players would be rested. During these tours, senior NCA-based coaches could fill in.

Gautam Gambhir’s close ties with KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan and the identity he’s built with the IPL team complicate a potential departure. The opinions of senior India players, currently in New York, on Gambhir as Rahul Dravid’s successor are also a crucial factor in the final decision.