Gautam Gambhir eats up Jonty Rhodes' LSG job even before becoming India's Head Coach

The selection of India's next head coach is at its final stages now. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has already started conducting interviews for the position in Mumbai. The CAC includes Sulakshana Naik, Ashok Malhotra, and Jatin Paranjpe, who are taking interviews for the position.

Gautam Gambhir is probably the biggest name among the candidates and is also the frontrunner for the role. But Gambhir is not contesting for this position alone. According to the reports, WV Raman was also spoken for this role.

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Jonty Rhodes to be India's next fielding coach?

It is not only the head coach but the other members of the coaching staff are likely to be changed as well. According to the reports, Gautam Gambhir has asked Jonty Rhodes for his interest in joining the Indian team as the team's fielding coach.

It is believed that only Gambhir has approached Rhodes so far and not the BCCI. If Gambhir is selected as the head coach, he is likely to have a say in selecting his own coaching staff.

Jonty Rhodes and Gautam Gambhir have previously worked together at Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. Gambhir was LSG's team mentor for their first two years in 2022 and 2023, where the team made it to the semi-finals. But the former India opener joined Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 as their mentor. KKR went on to win their third IPL title in 2024.

Jonty Rhodes has loads of experience as a coach. Besides working for the South African national team, he has also worked with IPL teams like Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Lucknow Super Giants.

Rhodes is currently working as the fielding coach of Lucknow Super Giants. He has reportedly asked the LSG management if it is willing to release him for the role.

Jonty Rhodes is regarded as one of the best fielders that this game has ever seen. During his time, he could change the games through his athleticism and excellence in the field. He played 52 Tests and 245 ODIs in his successful international career for South Africa.

The 54-year-old South African has applied for India's fielding coach previously as well but India opted for local coaches instead. Currently, T Dilip is India's fielding coach, who also became famous recently for his unique ideas to give the 'Best Fielder award' in the dressing room.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as India's head coach is set to end by the end of the T20 World Cup 2024. It is believed that Dravid was asked to stay but the legendary batter declined the offer as he had personal commitments as well.

Dravid's tenure had already terminated by the end of ODI World Cup 2023 but he was persuaded to stay at the position as the T20 World Cup 2024 was due to start in a few months.