Gautam Gambhir, who mentored KKR’s third title triumph recently, is considered a frontrunner to the post that is expected to be vacated by Rahul Dravid at the end of next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The BCCI’s deadline for coach applications has passed, with Gambhir’s name being discussed prominently, fueled by a meeting between Gambhir and BCCI secretary Jay Shah after KKR’s victory.
Weeks back in an Interview Gautam said:
“I love the Indian Army. That still remains my first love. The only regret I have in my life is I couldn’t join the army. I had aspired to join the NDA when Iwas in the 11th standard but sometimes destiny has its own say, and I ended up at NCA instead of NDA.”
About the home of Indian Army Kids:
“The Indian Army kids can call the whole of India as their home, not just a particular state or region. They make the biggest sacrifice in their life, with being away from home most of the time which is very difficult.This versatility and adaptability are common traits among “fauji kids,” who often need to adjust to new environments due to frequent relocations.”
Is Gambhir game for top job?
The BCCI is yet to confirm if Gambhir has formally shown interest in the head coach role. The deadline to apply for the head coach position was Monday. Gambhir met Shah at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
According to a previous report, more discussions are expected between the BCCI officials and Gambhir. Former Australia head coach Justin Langer, Royal Challengers Bengaluru manager Andy Flower, and batting legend Ricky Ponting are already out of the head coach race. India’s next coach would be offered a contract through to the next ODI World Cup in 2027. India have not won an ICC title since 2013.
Moreover, the India job requires close to 10 months of travel, a significant challenge for someone with a young family. But Gambhir seems to have made up his mind. According to a report in Cricbuzz, he has told people close to him that he is keen to take up the India role.
(With inputs from KKR)
(Author is a Sr.journalist, working for a Western media with 20 years of experience in covering the east and northeast, with specialisation in Defence and Sports.In her illustrated career she has covered many major events and achieved International and National media awards for Journalism).
