BCCI ousts Paras Mhambrey, T Dilip, Vikram Rathour as Gautam Gambhir's arrival sparks huge coaching overhaul

The support staff of Rahul Dravid in batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach T Dilip also parted ways with the India National Cricket Team. This comes after their tenure with the team ended after the T20 World Cup 2024.

Rahul Dravid, who was originally slated to part ways with the team after the ICC World Cup 2023, was given an extension till the T20 World Cup 2024 along with his support staff. But with the tournament now over, the governing body has now roped in Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the India National Cricket Team.

The appointment of Gautam Gambhir meant curtains for Paras Mhambrey (Bowling Coach), T. Dilip (Fielding Coach), and Vikram Rathour (Batting Coach). The Board of Control for Cricket in India released an official statement about the same and stated:

"The Board also congratulates Mr Paras Mhambrey (Bowling Coach), Mr T. Dilip (Fielding Coach) and Mr Vikram Rathour (Batting Coach) on a highly successful tenure. The BCCI values their contribution and wishes them the best going forward."

There have been several reports that Gautam Gambhir has demanded a free hand from the BCCI to select his support staff. The governing body however has allowed him that and it is learned that Gambhir has already had informal talks with his new support staff.

It is learned that Gautam Gambhir wants Abhishek Nayar as either assistant or batting coach in the team. The former India cricketer is the assistant coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders and worked with Gambhir in the 2024 edition. The duo worked incredibly well and guided the team to the title win in the tournament.

Apart from Abhishek Nayar, Gautam Gambhir also wants Vinay Kumar as the bowling coach and Jonty Rhodes as the fielding coach. The former South Africa player worked with Gambhir at the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.

Under Rahul Dravid and his support staff in Vikram Rathour, Paras Mhambrey, and T Dilip, India won the T20 World Cup, in 2024. They finished as runners-up in the ICC World Cup 2023 hosted by India and the ICC World Test Championship in 2023 hosted by England. They were semi-finalists in T20 World Cup 2022 and also drew Test series in South Africa.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rahul Dravid and his team of support staff for their exemplary run with the team - Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir talked about his appointment as the head coach of the India team. He said that it was an honor for him to serve tricolor and congratulated Rahul Dravid and the support staff for their tenure. He stated:

"It is an absolute honour to serve my tricolour, my people, my country. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rahul Dravid and his team of support staff for their exemplary run with the team. I am honoured and excited to take on the role of Head Coach for Team India."