Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opening batter, visited Kolkata last Friday to record a farewell video for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. Sources confirm that this video marks his goodbye to the franchise, following his successful tenure as team mentor, where he played a crucial role in guiding KKR to the IPL title. Gambhir’s departure from KKR comes as he is set to take on a new and prestigious role as the head coach of the Indian cricket team, replacing Rahul Dravid.

Gambhir sets to lead India

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has granted Gautam Gambhir the autonomy to select his coaching staff for the national team. This move underscores the trust and confidence the BCCI has in Gambhir’s vision for Indian cricket. While it remains uncertain whether a dedicated batting coach will be appointed, given Gambhir’s expertise as a successful opener, one name has already emerged as a potential addition to his support team.

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Gambhir has expressed his desire to include Abhishek Nayar, a former cricketer and seasoned coach, in his coaching setup. As Gambhir prepares to step into his new role, the cricketing community eagerly anticipates the impact of his leadership and the formation of his coaching staff.

Reason for delay in announcing new Indian Cricket team head coach

The Indian cricket team remains without a designated head coach after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended with the T20 World Cup 2024. A second-string team is currently in Zimbabwe, with NCA head VVS Laxman temporarily filling the head coach role. The BCCI has interviewed Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman, with Gambhir expected to be appointed.

However, the official announcement has been delayed due to ongoing salary negotiations between Gambhir and the board. BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that the new coach will take charge from the Sri Lanka series starting July 27. The board also plans to allow Gambhir a free hand in selecting his support staff, potentially foregoing a batting coach given Gambhir’s experience as an opener.