Not Gautam Gambhir! Former Indian batsman becomes the top contender to replace Rahul Dravid as Head Coach
Updated - 25 May 2024, 11:17 AM
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is searching for Team India's next coach. BCCI secretary Jay Shah clarified that the board hasn't approached any former Australian cricketer for the role. As per recent reports, two legendary Indian batters are the frontrunners to replace Rahul Dravid as head coach.
Rahul Dravid's tenure is set to end after the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. The Men in Blue reached the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2022 and the finals of the ICC World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup 2023. However, they failed to secure the ICC trophy.
The BCCI recently invited applications for the head coach position, with the deadline being May 27. Rahul Dravid can reapply for the position, but he is not keen on continuing another tenure with the Indian team. Dravid succeeded Ravi Shastri after the 2021 T20 World Cup but failed to break the ICC trophy jinx.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir is considered a top contender for the head coach position. However, uncertainty surrounds whether senior players will support Gambhir's appointment. Former cricketer VVS Laxman is also under consideration for the role, according to a RevSportz report.
It Will Be Completely Up To Jay Shah - Former BCCI office-bearer
As per a PTI report, VVS Laxman has shown reluctance to take on the role of the Indian team's head coach. The former batter is hesitant to apply due to the physically and mentally demanding nature of the job for the next three and a half years.
Laxman's term as the NCA's 'Head of Cricket' is set to conclude in September this year. The BCCI is keen on convincing the 49-year-old to take up the top job. A former BCCI official stated that if Laxman is not willing to work full-time, he could serve as a consultant for the Test series in Australia and England.
"It will be completely up to Jay but he has to convince VVS to be a part of the Indian set-up, at least when they play red-ball series," a former BCCI office-bearer told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
"If he is not willing to work full-time, he can always be the consultant when India play marquee red-ball series in Australia this year and England next year."
Laxman's Services Should Be Utilised Properly - Former BCCI office-bearer
The report further stated that VVS Laxman will rejoin the IPL after his NCA tenure as he has a standing offer from at least one franchise.
"Unlike Rahul (Dravid), who was based out of Bengaluru, Laxman had to shift base from Hyderabad. Not to forget his magnanimity when he agreed to work for a lesser pay package compared to what he was making as a mentor of Sunrisers Hyderabad and as an expert with one of the broadcasters.
"So there will be factors but Laxman's services should be utilized properly," the former office-bearer said.
VVS Laxman played 134 Test matches for India and scored 8781 runs at an average of 45.97, including 17 centuries and 56 half-centuries. The former middle-order batter scored 2338 runs in 86 ODIs at an average of 30.76 with six centuries and 10 half-centuries.
