IND vs IRE: Sourav Ganguly joins race to challenge Gautam Gambhir as battle heats up for India head coach role

With the BCCI currently looking to appoint Team India's next head coach, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has thrown his hat in the ring as well. 

The BCCI will have to take the final decision soon as current head coach Rahul Dravid's tenure will end this month following the conclusion of India's campaign in the T20 World Cup. The board had advertised for the post last month and the last date to submit the form was May 27.

According to media reports, former India opener Gautam Gambhir is the front-runner to replace Dravid as the new coach. While Gambhir is yet to coach a national or state team, the BCCI wants him to take charge of the Indian team after his impressive displays as a mentor in the IPL. 

Gambhir has been plying his trade as a mentor in the IPL for the last three seasons. In 2022 and 2023, he was with Lucknow Super Giants and guided them to the playoffs in both seasons before parting ways ahead of IPL 2024. Incidentally, LSG failed to make it past the league stage this year. On the other hand, Gambhir joined Kolkata Knight Riders and guided them to their third title and first since 2014.

While only time will tell whether Gambhir becomes the head coach or not, Sourav Ganguly believes his former India teammate would be a good choice. The legendary cricketer also expressed his desire to coach the Indian team.

"I would love to coach the Indian team. If he wants to do it, I think he will be a very good candidate," Ganguly told the media in Kolkata, as quoted by ANI.

Sourav Ganguly on Rishabh Pant:

Sourav Ganguly also spoke about Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper-batsman gears up to play an international game for the first time in more than a year. Pant has not played an international game since December 2022. He has warmed up for the ongoing T20 World Cup in style by scoring a fine fifty against Bangladesh in the practice game last week.

"He (Rishabh Pant) will play well. He is a good player. The World Cup has not yet started, India is playing its warm-up matches. On 5th June, they are playing their first game. They will do well, they are a good side," said Ganguly.

Team India will begin their campaign in the T20 World Cup on Wednesday (June 5) by locking horns against Ireland in New York.