"I really wish he..." - Dinesh Karthik's no-nonsense verdict on Gautam Gambhir becoming India head coach

Veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik opened up about Gautam Gambhir taking up the role of Team India's head coach following Rahul Dravid's tenure. Dinesh Karthik expressed his belief that Gautam Gambhir would be an excellent choice for the position in the Indian men's cricket team.

Rahul Dravid's current tenure as head coach of Team India is set to conclude after the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 next month. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) invited applications for the head coach position. Recent reports suggest that the BCC approached Gambhir to replace Dravid.

Gautam Gambhir served as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2012 and 2014 seasons. The Super Giants reached the playoffs in two seasons but failed to clinch the title. He has taken the Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in the recently concluded T20 tournament.

Gautam Gambhir Has Really Built A Good Team - Dinesh Karthik

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik stated that Gautam Gambhir has instilled a winning culture within the Kolkata Knight Riders. Karthik mentioned that Gambhir could bring the same culture to the national side. He noted that KKR will welcome Gambhir back whenever he decides to return.

"He has really built a good team, one that will have a lot of players retained, and he's left them in a very, very good place. If he gets the opportunity, I really wish he takes it. Being part of the national team and the patriotism that he has, I think he will definitely be tempted to take it," Karthik told Cricbuzz.

"I really wish he comes in because he will infuse that winning culture he's infused here, and India would do very well under him. When it comes to KKR, whenever he's back, they'll take him back with open arms," he added.

Gautam Gambhir lacks international coaching experience, but he has had two successful stints as a mentor in the IPL. The BCCI recently advertised the head coach position for the Indian men's team across all three formats. The tenure is slated to begin in July 2024 and extend until December 2027.

What A Record He's Had As A Coach - Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik praised Gautam Gambhir's decision-making skills, including strategic moves like opening with Sunil Narine in IPL 2024. The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer hoped that Gambhir would bring his passion and expertise to the Indian team if given the opportunity.

"What a record he's had as a coach. Being the mentor for LSG, two years on the bounce qualifying, comes to KKR, and they say, 'Please, got to do something special for us', ends up with the trophy. He's been at the helm, taken all the decisions, be it sending Narine opening, or getting Mitchell Starc in the auction, all of those big recruits and getting the right team, the balance, and then taking all the shots. I'm seeing the news that he could part of the Indian team as well, and I really wish he does. He has that fire in him," Karthik further stated.

In IPL 2024, Sunil Narine was promoted to open for the Knight Riders. Narine scored 488 runs in 15 matches at an average of 34.85 and a strike rate of 180.74, including one century and three fifties. Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Match for two playoff matches against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

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