No foreigner in support staff: BCCI rejects Gautam Gambhir's choice once again in a big blow for India legend

While recent reports stated that the newly-appointed India head coach Gautam Gambhir would be given a free hand to choose his support staff members, BCCI seems to have different plans.

Earlier this week, the BCCI unveiled the former India opener as the new head coach of the team. Gautam Gambhir has replaced Rahul Dravid whose tenure ended last month after Team India's victory in the T20 World Cup.

Along with Dravid, the likes of Vikram Rathour (batting coach, Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach), and T. Dilip (fielding coach) have parted ways with the team as well. With Gautam Gambhir finalized as the head coach, the BCCI will be appointing other members of the support staff such as the batting, bowling, and field coaches soon.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, T Dilip may continue as India's fielding coach even though the BCCI recently stated that his tenure has come to an end. Usually, the BCCI allows the head coach to pick his own support staff.

And although Gautam Gambhir will definitely have a big say in the appointment of the new support staff members, things have not started well. The former India batsman has already faced rejection from the board after showing interest in working with former India pacer Vinay Kumar as a bowling coach.

BCCI turns down Gautam Gambhir once again:

The report further stated that the BCCI has also turned down Gautam Gambhir's choice for the fielding coach. The India head coach wanted the legendary Jonty Rhodes as the new fielding coach but the BCCI has different plans.

Although Rhodes is one of the best if not the best fielders to have graced the game and has worked with Gambhir in the IPL, the BCCI is not keen on hiring a foreigner in the support staff. The BCCI has been appointing only Indian support staff for the last seven years and is in the mood to end the trend. As a result, T Dilip has emerged as the front-runner to become the fielding coach again.