In a recent turn of events, former Indian cricket captain and former BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly, has expressed his keen interest in taking up the role of head coach for the Indian cricket team. This announcement comes as the BCCI prepares to appoint a new coach, with Rahul Dravid’s tenure set to conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024. Ganguly’s potential return to the team in a coaching capacity has sparked widespread interest and discussion within the cricketing community.

Ganguly’s Enthusiasm for Coaching

Ganguly’s passion for the game and his desire to contribute to the team in a new role adds an intriguing dimension to the selection process for the next head coach of Team India.

Speaking to the media in Kolkata, Ganguly shared his enthusiasm for coaching the Indian team.

He stated, “I would love to coach the Indian team. If he wants to do it, I think he will be a very good candidate.”

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Rahul Dravid’s Tenure Ending

Rahul Dravid, who took over the coaching reins in November 2021, has had a significant impact on the team. Under his guidance, India has seen several successes, including a historic Test series win in Australia. As his tenure comes to an end, the focus now shifts to finding a successor who can build on Dravid’s legacy and lead the team to further glory.

Gautam Gambhir as a Potential Candidate

Adding to the discourse, Ganguly endorsed former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir as a potential candidate for the coaching role. Gambhir, during an event at Medeor Hospital in Abu Dhabi, expressed his eagerness to coach the Indian team.

He remarked, “There is no bigger honor than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well.”

When comparing Ganguly and Gambhir as potential head coaches, several factors come into play. Ganguly’s extensive experience in leadership roles and his deep-rooted connection with Indian cricket make him a strong contender. On the other hand, Gambhir’s fresh perspective and recent playing experience could bring a new dynamic to the team. Both have their unique strengths, making the selection process highly interesting.

Confidence in the Indian Team

Ganguly has expressed his confidence in wicket keeper-batter Rishabh Pant, highlighting his potential to perform well in the World Cup.

“He (Rishabh Pant) will play well. He is a good player. The World Cup has not yet started, India is playing its warm-up matches. On 5th June, they are playing their first game. They will do well, they are a good side,” Ganguly affirmed. Pant’s aggressive batting style and agile wicket-keeping make him a key player for India’s campaign.

India’s T20 World Cup 2024 Campaign

As of now, the Indian cricket team is in a strong position, with a blend of experienced players and promising youngsters. Recent performances in various formats have been commendable, and the team is well-prepared for the upcoming challenges, including the T20 World Cup 2024.

India is set to commence their T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. As anticipation builds for the tournament, the discussions around coaching personnel and the team’s prospects add further intrigue to the cricketing landscape.

As anticipation builds for the tournament, the discussions around coaching personnel and the team’s prospects add further intrigue to the cricketing landscape.

As Ravi Sastri’s term will be expiring next month, Dravid is the only name that is coming up to become the next head coach for India. In all probability, he will be guiding the Indian team as the head coach for the series against New Zealand.

Many Australians have expressed their interests to become the head coach of the Indian cricket team but the BCCI sets heart on replacing Ravi Sashtri with an Indian. Rahul Dravid has coached the second string Indian team for the white ball series against Sri lanka in the beginning of this year, and is likely to execute the same for the home matches that will be played against New Zealand. 

BCCI will give a proposal for being the coach as finding an Australian coach after Sashtri will take a much longer time. They have also offered him a full time position as a head coach, to which he declined as a lot of travelling is involved and wanted to continue being the Director of National Cricket Academy . According to The Hindustan Times, a BCCI official said “We wanted the candidate whom we feel is best suited for the job to agree first. We don’t want a situation where we get applications but no one is seen as ideal. It will be embarrassing for the board and for the candidates too. So it’s better to find a suitable candidate first, till then Dravid can be interim coach”.

India will be facing New Zealand, playing two tests and three 20-20’s, which will begin after the ending of the T20 World Cup, starting from 17th November. Rahul Dravid has always been a legend and has given many new faces for the Indian Cricket Team. We shall be looking forward to the decisions he makes, after his official position as the head coach for the Indian cricket team.

India vs Sri Lanka- India Lost 3^rd T20I match against Sri Lanka Miserably; Enjoyed experience of coaching senior team, says Dravid

Colombo: In charge of the Indian squad for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, batting great Rahul Dravid says he hasn’t yet thought about taking up the national team coaching job on a full-time basis.

The former India captain though added that he has “enjoyed the experience” of coaching the team in Sri Lanka.

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India lost the third T20I by seven wickets and with it the series under the Coaching of Rahul Dravid-India vs Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka beat India by 7 wickets on Thursday to take the series 2-1. In what was complete domination by the hosts, the bowlers did the job for the Lankans as they restricted India to a paltry total. On his birthday, Wanindu Hasaranga helped Sri Lanka restrict India to 81/8 – India’s third-lowest total in T20Is. Hasaranga’s figures of 4/9 were the second-best bowling figures in T20Is between Sri Lanka and India. It is Sri Lanka’s first series win in T20Is since October 2019.

Earlier, India skipper Shikhar Dhawan won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in the series-deciding third twenty20 International on Thursday. India replaced injured Navdeep Saini, who hurt his shoulder while fielding on Wednesday, with debutant Kerala pacer Sandeep Warrier. Sri Lanka also has replaced injured Isuru Udana with Pathum Nissanka. India won the first match while Sri Lanka equalled the series by winning the second T20 on Wednesday.

“I have enjoyed this experience. You know, look, I have not really thought anything far ahead,” Rahul Dravid said at the virtual post-match press conference after the third and final T20 International on Thursday night.

He was asked to share his experiences and if he would want to take up the coaching job should an opportunity arise in the future.

“You know, to be honest with you I am happy doing what I am doing. For me, I haven’t given any other thought than this tour and getting through this tour,” added the legendary batsman Rahul Dravid.

Rahul Dravid, who is the National Cricket Academy (NCA) director, has successfully coached the India Under-19 side and the India A side.

But the Sri Lankan tour was Rahul Dravid’s first assignment as the head coach of the India senior team.

Under him, the Shikhar Dhawan-led side won the ODI series 2-1 but lost the T20 rubber 1-2, at the R Premadasa Stadium here.

During an illustrious career, the 48-year-old Rahul Dravid has played 164 Tests and 344 ODIs.

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“I have enjoyed the experience and I have loved working with these guys. It’s been great. And no, I haven’t given any other thought to anything else. There are (a) lot of challenges doing a full-time role, so I really don’t know,” quipped Dravid.

India head coach Ravi Shastri is currently with the Indian Test team, which lost the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, and will next take on England in a gruelling five-match series.

Shastri’s contract runs till the end of the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from 17 October to 14 November, and it’s not clear whether he would like to reapply considering that his age is 59 and the upper age limit for Indian coach job is set at 60.

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