Newly appointed head coach of India’s men’s cricket team, Gautam Gambhir, addressed a press conference in Mumbai today, accompanied by chief selector Ajit Agarkar. The duo answered questions regarding team selection ahead of the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. India is set to play a three-match T20I series starting on July 27, followed by a three-match ODI series.

Key takeaways

Leadership changes

Gautam Gambhir announced that Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the captain of the T20I squad. Despite speculation and strong support for Hardik Pandya, the management chose Suryakumar for the leadership role. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the team in the ODI format.

He added, “There has never been a concern over Surya’s T20 batting. The captaincy decision was well thought off, it wasn’t a call that was taken overnight.”

Support for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

Gambhir expressed his confidence in veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, stating that they can play in the 2027 ODI World Cup, provided they maintain their fitness levels. He emphasized the importance of their experience and contributions to the team.

“They have a lot of cricket left in them (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma). There’s a big tour of Australia and Champions Trophy coming up, they will be motivated enough. And if they can keep their fitness even the 2027 World Cup,” Gambhir said.

End of Rahul Dravid’s tenure

The press conference marked a new chapter as Gambhir stepped in to fill the shoes of Rahul Dravid, whose tenure as head coach ended after the T20 World Cup. Gambhir acknowledged Dravid’s contributions and outlined his vision for the team’s future.

“I’m taking over a very, very successful team. A T20 world champion. Runner-up in the World Test Championship and runner-up in the ODI World Cup. It’s not that it’s not a successful team. I have big shoes to fill “, Gambhir said on succeeding Rahul Dravid.

Tour of Sri Lanka

The immediate focus for the new coaching staff is the tour of Sri Lanka. Gambhir and Agarkar discussed the significance of this series for both T20I and ODI formats, highlighting the strategic selections made for this tour. They believe the series will be a crucial test for the new captaincy and overall team dynamics.

He added, “After the Sri Lanka tour, we got a long break and then we have 10 Test matches. That’s what the challenge is all about. Hopefully we can do well in these 10 Test matches. Jadeja is important for those 10 Test matches. Looking forward to those 10 matches. “

Team selection philosophy

Ajit Agarkar provided insights into the team selection process, explaining the criteria and considerations behind the chosen squad. The emphasis was on a balance between experience and youth, aiming to build a robust team capable of performing consistently at the international level.

“Hardik Pandya is a very important player, we have seen it in the World Cup and we need him, but his fitness is a big challenge now. I think we can manage him better. He is still part of our team… Surya Kumar Yadav has all the necessary abilities (to be the captain)…” Agarkar said.   “It’s the feedback we had received from the dressing room and he’s a deserving candidate. For Hardik, fitness has been a challenge.” Agarkar further explained.

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The press conference set the stage for Gambhir’s tenure as head coach, with clear support for seasoned players and a strategic approach to upcoming challenges.

Morne Morkel, the former South African pacer with a wealth of coaching experience, is in the running to become India’s new bowling coach. Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, has included Morkel on his list of preferred candidates. Morkel, who previously coached the Pakistan team during last year’s ODI World Cup in India, stepped down from his role months before his contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was set to expire.

Gambhir’s recommendation for Morkel

Gautam Gambhir has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to consider Morkel for the position of bowling coach. Morkel, who has played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is between 2006 and 2018, has been in discussions with the BCCI regarding this role. Now settled in Australia, Morkel has established a strong coaching reputation both internationally and in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Gambhir and Morkel share a productive working relationship from their time at the Lucknow Super Giants IPL team, where Gambhir served as a mentor and Morkel as the bowling coach. Despite changes in the coaching staff, Morkel continued with the franchise under new head coach Justin Langer after Gambhir moved to the Kolkata Knight Riders and former head coach Andy Flower transitioned to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Competitive field for the bowling coach position

The BCCI is considering several candidates for the bowling coach role, including Lakshmipathy Balaji, Vinay Kumar, and potentially Zaheer Khan. Despite the competitive field, Gambhir’s preference for working with familiar individuals makes Morkel a strong contender. Morkel, at 39, has remained engaged with the latest techniques of the game since retiring in 2018.

One of the key considerations for Morkel is the extensive travel required for the job, given his young family and current residence in northern Sydney with his wife Roz Kelly, a sports presenter on Channel 9, and their two children.

If selected, Morkel would replace Paras Mhambrey, who has been successful in the role for the past three years under former head coach Rahul Dravid. In addition to Morkel, Gambhir has also recommended Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, with the BCCI showing interest in retaining fielding coach T Dilip from Dravid’s regime.

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As the BCCI moves closer to making a final decision, the inclusion of Morne Morkel in India’s coaching setup could bring significant expertise and fresh perspectives to the team.

Gautam Gambhir’s much-anticipated appointment as head coach of the Indian cricket team was officially announced on Tuesday. The former opening batsman will replace Rahul Dravid in the top coaching role. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that Gambhir will take charge for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka later this month. The decision was unanimously recommended by the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which includes Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik. Gambhir, who is 42 years old, becomes the youngest head coach ever appointed for the Indian team.

Kohli not consulted on Gambhir’s appointment

According to the Hindustan Times, star batter Virat Kohli was not consulted by the BCCI before Gambhir’s appointment was made public. Kohli’s fiery on-field relationship with Gambhir is well-known, highlighted by an altercation during an IPL 2023 match in Lucknow. Although the two players appeared to have reconciled during IPL 2024, Kohli’s input was not sought by the BCCI due to his absence from the T20I setup.

A BCCI official told Hindustan Times, “There is enough time for the two to have conversations over the table. But it was important for the BCCI to look at the big picture with many youngsters likely to feature in the coming years.” Kohli and current India captain Rohit Sharma both announced their retirement from T20Is after the T20 World Cup, which may have influenced the decision to exclude Kohli from the consultation process.

Hardik Pandya kept in the loop

In contrast, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is considered a frontrunner to become India’s next T20I captain, was kept informed about Gambhir’s appointment. The BCCI’s decision to involve Pandya suggests a strategic focus on the future T20I leadership and the development of younger players.

The dynamics between Rohit Sharma and Gambhir will be closely watched, particularly given reports that Rohit preferred Dravid to continue as head coach. Both Rohit and Kohli have requested extended breaks from the BCCI, making them likely to miss Gambhir’s debut series as head coach against Sri Lanka.

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India’s tour of Sri Lanka will feature three T20Is and three ODIs, starting on July 28. The series will be Gambhir’s first opportunity to make an impact as head coach and shape the future direction of the Indian cricket team.

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.

Indian cricket fans have taken to social media to express their reactions to the appointment of former cricketer Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the India men’s senior team. The announcement was made by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah on July 9, just days after India clinched the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy. Gambhir, who recently led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an IPL 2024 title, will replace Rahul Dravid at the helm of the national side.

The chatter around Gambhir’s appointment as head coach grew louder during the second half of the IPL 2024 season. Although there was no formal approach initially, discussions between the BCCI and Gambhir progressed informally. Despite having no prior coaching experience at the highest level, Gambhir’s successful stint as a mentor in the IPL convinced the BCCI that he is the right man to lead the team forward. Gambhir will officially take on his new role starting with the Sri Lanka series, which includes 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs, from July 27 to August 7. Until then, the Indian team, currently playing a 5-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, will remain under the mentorship of VVS Laxman.

Reflecting on coaching success and controversies

The appointment of Gambhir brings back memories of past coaching tenures, both successful and controversial. Gary Kirsten’s period as the Indian head coach from 2008 to 2011 is fondly remembered as a golden era. Under Kirsten’s guidance, India won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and achieved the number one Test ranking. Kirsten’s calm demeanor and strategic acumen were instrumental in these successes.

In contrast, Greg Chappell’s tenure from 2005 to 2007 is often cited as one of the most controversial periods in Indian cricket. Chappell’s aggressive coaching style and frequent conflicts with senior players, including Sourav Ganguly, led to significant unrest within the team. The period was marked by mixed performances on the field and eventually led to Chappell’s exit.

See Also: Another selfless act by Rahul Dravid; Former India coach refused extra bonus from BCCI – Cricket Winner

Fan’s reactions

Fans are divided over Gambhir’s appointment. While many praise the decision, terming it as the dawn of a new era for Indian cricket, others express concern over potential controversies. Some fans fear a repeat of the tumultuous Chappell era, given Gambhir’s similar combative mindset and outspoken nature. Despite these concerns, there is cautious optimism that Gambhir’s passion and tactical knowledge will bring success to the team.

As Gambhir prepares to take on his new role, the cricketing world will be watching closely to see if he can emulate the success of coaches like Kirsten or if his tenure will be marked by challenges similar to those faced during Chappell’s time. Only time will tell how this new chapter in Indian cricket unfolds.

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.