Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik feels that the present Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir is under pressure in his early days due to recent negative results. Karthik talked about how the head coach can settle the situation. 

Gautam Gambhir, the former national teammate of Dinesh Karthik, has taken the coaching challenge of the Indian team after their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy win under the coaching of Rahul Dravid. 

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It's never easy to fill those shoes: Dinesh Karthik on coach Rahul Dravid replacement

Although the Gambhir-coaching Indian team won the home Test series against Bangladesh comfortably by 2-0 after a successful T20I series whitewash (3-0) and losing an ODI series in the Sri Lanka tour (2-0), they faced a historic whitewash defeat in the home Test against New Zealand (by 3-0) and also lost the five-match Test series Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia by 3-1. The team selections and batters’ performances in the recent Test series have been criticised heavily.

Recently, Dinesh Karthik talked about Gambhir’s coaching. He told Cricbuzz, "The Bangladesh series was a success, and I think post that, things have gone downhill for him in Tests."

While the early situation is very tough for Gambhir and Team India, Karthik believes that the former Indian opener needs some time, as it was never easy to replace the successful coach Rahul Dravid. 

Karthik said, "You've got to give Gambhir some slack. He has come in at a very tough time post the successful regime of Rahul Dravid. It's never easy to fill those shoes.” 

Karthik also pointed out that while coach Gambhir had a rough start in the ODI and Test formats, the ODI format was too small, as India played only three ODIs in 2024. Meanwhile, under his coaching, Team India impressed in the T20I format, both against the hosts Sri Lanka and the visitors Bangladesh. Karthik praises Gambhir for guiding the youngsters in the shorter format.

The pressure is mounting

Talking about Gambhir’s impact as the coach, Karthik feels that the correlation between the coach's vision and the players' mindset is important to build up a strong team. While Karthik also understands the limited opportunities for a coach during a match, he needs to work in the proper manner to make the dressing room positive. 

Karthik finished with, "The pressure is mounting. All he can do is give them freedom, give them the security they want in the dressing room, and try to keep a very nice and safe even sort of place there. But when the player walks out, he has to find a way to counter his demons and the opposition's questions."

In a significant development for Indian cricket, Gautam Gambhir has been officially announced as the new head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. The former opening batter will take over from Rahul Dravid, who concluded his tenure on a high note by securing the T20 World Cup trophy. Gambhir’s appointment follows a thorough selection process and extensive negotiations, setting the stage for a new chapter in Indian cricket. Jay Shah posted on twitter about this biggest news.

Gambhir’s IPL journey: From player to mentor

Gautam Gambhir’s transition from a decorated player to a respected mentor has been marked by notable achievements in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Known for his aggressive batting and sharp cricketing acumen, Gambhir played a pivotal role in transforming the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) into IPL champions. His leadership skills were further showcased during his stint as the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants, before he returned to KKR to guide them to another title.

As a player, Gautam Gambhir was known for his resilience and ability to perform under pressure. He played crucial innings in India’s victories in both the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. His match-winning 75 runs in the 2007 T20 World Cup final and a vital 97 runs in the 2011 ODI World Cup final are still celebrated moments in Indian cricket history.

Stepping into Dravid’s shoes

Taking over from Rahul Dravid is no small feat. Dravid’s tenure was marked by a disciplined approach and a focus on nurturing young talent, culminating in India’s T20 World Cup victory. Gambhir is expected to bring his unique style and strategic mindset to the role, building on Dravid’s legacy while injecting fresh energy into the team. His experience and success in the IPL have prepared him for this national-level assignment, where he will now face the challenge of maintaining and enhancing India’s standing in world cricket.

Delays in announcement: The salary negotiations

The announcement of Gambhir’s appointment was delayed primarily due to salary negotiations. According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Gambhir were in the “final stages of salary negotiations.” The BCCI had stated that the head coach’s remuneration would be “negotiable and will be commensurate with experience.” Gambhir, expected to draw a higher salary than his predecessor, Rahul Dravid, whose yearly remuneration was around ₹12 crore, required detailed discussions to finalize his package. Once the terms were agreed upon, the BCCI moved swiftly to make the official announcement.

Future plans and responsibilities

Gambhir’s immediate responsibilities will include preparing the Indian team for the upcoming white-ball series in Sri Lanka, as confirmed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Additionally, the selection of the support staff will be a critical task. The BCCI has indicated that Gambhir will have significant input in this process, allowing him to assemble a team that aligns with his vision and strategy.

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With the tenures of batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip having ended post the T20 World Cup, the new head coach will be instrumental in selecting a new support team. There is speculation that Gambhir, given his expertise as a successful opener, might opt for different configurations in the coaching staff, potentially forgoing a dedicated batting coach.

Former India batter Gautam Gambhir is on top of the BCCI’s wishlist take up the position of India men’s head coach after Rahul Dravid’s term ends at the conclusion of the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.

Gambhir’s Cricketing Career Highlights 

Gambhir’s cricketing prowess is well-documented, as a key player in India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and the ODI World Cup victory in 2011. He was a tenacious opener known for his gritty performances and ability to rise to the occasion in critical matches.

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Transition to Mentorship and Coaching Roles

After hanging up his boots, Gambhir smoothly transitioned into mentorship and coaching. He first took up a role with the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2022 and 2023, where his strategic insights helped the team qualify for the playoffs in both seasons.

In 2024, he moved to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he had a successful stint as captain. His return to KKR as a mentor has seen the team finish the league stage at the top of the points table.

Despite lacking formal coaching experience at the international level, Gambhir has been a mentor at two IPL franchises, the Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders. His strategic input and leadership have been instrumental in the success of these teams. 

BCCI’s Wishlist and Approach

The BCCI’s search for a head coach is meticulous. They seek a candidate who has a rich, cricketing background, strong leadership qualities, and strategic insight.

The deadline for applying for the head coach position is May 27, just a day after the IPL final. This tight timeline underscores the urgency with which the BCCI is moving forward. The selected candidate will serve a term starting from July 2024 and concluding in December 2027, a span that covers several critical international tournaments and series.

Current Head coach Rahul Dravid’s decision to step down after the 2024 T20 World Cup surprised many. He communicated his decision to the BCCI, opting not to seek another tenure.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is gearing up to release an advertisement for a new coach, confirmed by Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary.

Coaching Staff Selection Process

Shah revealed that the advertisement for the new coach would soon be published, signalling the commencement of the selection process. Additionally, he mentioned that decisions regarding other coaching staff, including batting, bowling, and fielding coaches, will be made in consultation with the new head coach.

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“Rahul’s tenure is only up to June. So if he wants to apply, he is free to do so,” the BCCI secretary said.

Possibility of a Foreign Coach

Addressing speculation about the new coach’s nationality, Shah stated that the BCCI is open to the possibility of hiring a foreign coach. However, he emphasized that the final decision rests with the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), highlighting the global nature of the selection process.

“We cannot determine whether the new coach will be Indian or foreign. It will be up to the CAC, and we are a global body,” the BCCI official said.

Duration of Coach’s Tenure

Shah confirmed that the new coach will be appointed for a long term, with an initial tenure of three years. This indicates the BCCI’s intention to provide stability and continuity in the coaching setup, ensuring a conducive environment for the team’s development.

“That decision will also be made by the CAC. There are many all-format players, like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant, among others. Moreover, there is no precedent for such a situation in India.”

Continuation of Impact Player Rule in IPL

Regarding the Impact Player rule in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shah remained non-committal on its continuation. He stressed the importance of consulting with captains, coaches, franchises, and broadcasters before making a decision, underscoring the collaborative nature of the process.

“Impact player was a test case. Two new Indian players are getting a chance in the IPL,” he stressed when it was pointed out that the rule might not favor all-rounders. “We will discuss with the stakeholders – franchises and broadcasters – before deciding on the continuation of the Impact Player. It’s not permanent, but no one has provided feedback against the rule,” he said.

Contradicting recent claims, Shah stated that there had been no discussions on reviving the Champions League Twenty20 tournament. He reiterated the need for clarity and transparency in such matters, emphasizing the importance of official statements from the BCCI.

Shah left everyone guessing whether he will be taking up the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairmanship in November, as is being widely speculated, but did disclose that discussions will be held regarding the possibility of holding the World Test Championship (WTC) final outside of England.

“We have spoken to the ICC about it. They will consider changing the venue,” Shah said.