New reports have emerged that the BCCI is likely to appoint both Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman as the head coaches of the men’s team, as the BCCI looks for someone to be the successor of the departing Rahul Dravid.

The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) interviewed both Gambhir and Raman on June 18, after inviting applications for the vacancy that Dravid will be leaving after the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup.

Need for new leadership

Rahul Dravid, the current head coach, has announced his departure after the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. Dravid’s tenure has been marked by significant developments and strategic changes, leaving big shoes to fill for his successor.

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The new head coach will have to navigate the team through various challenges, including maintaining team morale, ensuring consistent performance, and fostering young talent.

Top contenders

Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir, a former Indian cricketer and a prominent figure in the cricketing world, has shown promise as a mentor in the IPL. Gambhir has had a stellar career, known for his gritty batting and crucial performances in significant matches, including the 2011 World Cup final.

While Gambhir’s coaching experience is limited to mentoring IPL franchises, his methods have shown promise, particularly in helping KKR win their first IPL title in a decade.

WV Raman

WV Raman, a seasoned cricketer and coach, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Raman has represented India in 11 Tests and 27 ODIs, showcasing his skills at the international level.

Raman has an extensive coaching background, having guided domestic teams like Tamil Nadu and Bengal, and also served as the assistant coach of Punjab Kings and the batting coach for KKR. He also coached the Indian women’s cricket team from 2018 to 2021.

CAC interviews

The Cricket Advisory Committee, consisting of Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik, conducted interviews with both Gambhir and Raman on June 18. The CAC considered various factors, including coaching experience, strategic vision, and the ability to inspire and lead the team.

Potential coaching roles

There are discussions about how to best utilize the expertise of both Gambhir and Raman. One option is to appoint Gambhir as the head coach and Raman as the batting coach. Alternatively, Raman could be given the head coach position with Gambhir focusing on specific aspects like red-ball cricket.

A source close to the board mentioned the possibility of utilizing both individuals in roles that complement each other, maximizing their combined impact on Indian cricket.

“The Indian cricket board must look at utilizing the services of both Raman and Gambhir. There are numerous ways in which one can do that – say have Gambhir as head coach and Raman as batting coach or allow Raman to have more say in red ball. Lot of ways one can use them because both can benefit Indian cricket and that’s what one should look at,” a source close to the board was quoted.

The appointment of both Gambhir and Raman could bring fresh strategic insights and a renewed focus on developing young talent and enhancing team performance.