Gautam Gambhir, BCCI yet to finalize salary; new India head coach free to choose support staff
Published - 08 Jul 2024, 10:42 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:15 AM
The BCCI is reportedly set to invite applications for Team India's support staff soon as they look to announce the new coaches soon.
Team India will have a new backroom staff in the coming days. Head coach Rahul Dravid's tenure came to an end after the completion of the T20 World Cup last month. Along with him, batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip have also parted ways with the team.
The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has already interviewed two candidates for the head coach's post. Last month, former India cricketers Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman were interviewed for the post. According to media reports, Gambhir is the favorite to replace Dravid as the head coach of the team.
The former India batsman recently posted a farewell video at the Eden Gardens to share a special message for the Kolkata Knight Riders fans. Gambhir had plied his trade as KKR's mentor this year, helping them win the IPL before deciding to apply for the India job. According to a report in The Indian Express, the BCCI has not announced Gambhir as the head coach yet because both parties are still negotiating the salary.
Gautam Gambhir to choose support staff:
Although the BCCI will invite applications for Team India's support staff members, Gautam Gambhir will have a free hand to choose his support staff. The news outlet also stated that Team India might decide against appointing a batting coach due to Gambhir's expertise. Gambhir has been one of India's most successful all-format openers.
Gambhir is yet to coach a state or a national team but has impressed as a mentor in the IPL. In 2022 and 2023, he was the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants and helped them qualify for the playoffs in both seasons. Incidentally, LSG failed to qualify for the playoffs this year after Gambhir left them for KKR.
KKR, on the other hand, went on to win the IPL after a long gap of 10 years with Gambhir as their mentor. The BCCI will be hoping that Gambhir maintains the same impressive record with Team India as well. India are currently in Zimbabwe for a five-match T20I series with VVS Laxman acting as head coach.
