With Gautam Gambhir‘s appointment as Team India’s head coach confirmed, the search is now on to complete the coaching staff, including positions for the bowling coach, fielding coach, and batting coach or assistant coach. Gambhir, who demonstrated his coaching prowess during the IPL 2024 campaign as the head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has reportedly shared his preferred candidates with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Abhishek Nayar to join as assistant coach

Among Gambhir’s top choices is Abhishek Nayar, a former Mumbai Indians player and current KKR assistant coach. According to a report from Cricbuzz, Nayar is set to join Gambhir as an assistant coach for Team India. Having worked closely with Nayar at KKR, Gambhir is well aware of his capabilities and is eager to bring him on board.

However, Gambhir’s recommendations for the bowling coach role, L Balaji and R Vinay Kumar, have not been well-received by the BCCI. The board is reportedly seeking a high-profile name capable of mentoring young talents such as Mayank Yadav, Tushar Deshpande, and Harshit Rana. This divergence highlights the board’s focus on securing experienced and reputed coaches to guide the next generation of Indian bowlers.

Fielding coach position

In terms of the fielding coach, the BCCI is inclined to extend the tenure of T Dilip, who was part of Rahul Dravid’s coaching staff. Despite the end of his contract following the T20 World Cup 2024, Dilip’s performance has been highly valued. The BCCI release stated, “The Board also congratulates Mr. Paras Mhambrey (Bowling Coach), Mr. T. Dilip (Fielding Coach), and Mr. Vikram Rathour (Batting Coach) on a highly successful tenure. The BCCI values their contribution and wishes them the best going forward.” It appears that Dilip will continue under Gambhir’s leadership.

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As the BCCI finalizes the new coaching staff, the integration of experienced individuals like Abhishek Nayar and the retention of successful coaches like T Dilip will be crucial in shaping the future of Indian cricket under Gautam Gambhir’s guidance. With the board aiming for a blend of fresh perspectives and seasoned expertise, the upcoming appointments will be instrumental in steering Team India towards continued success.