Gautam Gambhir 'on top of BCCI's wishlist' to replace Rahul Dravid as India head coach - Report

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir is reportedly the frontrunner to become Team India's next head coach. The BCCI is currently looking for Rahul Dravid's replacement and has already invited applications for the coach's post.

Dravid's tenure will come to an end after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup next month and the former India skipper has decided against accepting an extension this time. His original contract had ended last year itself after the ODI World Cup but BCCI managed to convince him to stay as the coach till the T20 World Cup.

While there is little clarity over who will eventually replace Dravid, ESPNcricinfo has reported that BCCI wants Gautam Gambhir as the replacement. The report has added that the former batsman is on top of the BCCI's wish list.

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As per the report, the BCCI has already contacted Gautam Gambhir in order to gauge his interest in the job. Further discussion on the matter is expected to take place once Kolkata Knight Riders' campaign in the ongoing IPL 2024 comes to an end. The World Cup-winning player is currently plying his trade as a mentor for KKR. The deadline for applying for the India head coach job is May 27, a day after the IPL final.

Gautam Gambhir's coaching experience:

Gautam Gambhir is yet to ply his trade as a coach for an international or state team. However, the former cricketer has been associated with the IPL franchises as a coach for the last three seasons. In 2022 and 2023, he was the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants. During his tenure, LSG qualified for the playoffs in both seasons.

For the ongoing season, he decided to join KKR and has made an instant impact. KKR have qualified for the playoffs after finishing at the top of the points table for the first time in their history. Gautam Gambhir has a reputation for delivering on big occasions.

He was India's highest run-scorer in the 2007 T20 World Cup final as well as the 2011 World Cup final. In the IPL, Gambhir led KKR to their maiden title in 2012 before guiding them to another in 2014. In 2014, KKR also qualified for the final of the now-defunct Champions League T20.