If given the chance, Gautam Gambhir “would love to coach India”.
Although it’s unclear if he has applied, Gambhir has been contacted by the BCCI for the position once Rahul Dravid’s term finishes following the completion of the current T20 World Cup. Gambhir recently played a significant role—as mentor—in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) run to the IPL 2024 title. One day following the IPL final, on May 27, was the deadline.
You know, I’d really want to be the Indian team’s coach. No greater honour exists. “Coaching your national team is the greatest honour there is,” Gambhir declared on Sunday while interacting with kids at an Abu Dhabi event. “140 crore Indians are represented by you. and more everywhere in the world as well. And how can it get any greater than that when you represent India?”
It was in answer to a query from a young person who also wanted to know how Gambhir would support India in winning the World Cup.
“How can I help India win the World Cup – I think it’s not me that will help India win the World Cup, it is 140 crore Indians that will help India win the World Cup,” Gambhir stated. “India will win the World Cup if everyone starts praying for us and we begin to play and represent them. Being bold is crucial, and yes, I would really want to coach India.”
It has been revealed that Dravid informed the BCCI of his decision to forego seeking another tenure. The guy who was supposed to replace Dravid, VVS Laxman, had withdrawn from consideration last year for private reasons.
The BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, had made it clear that the organisation is looking to “identify individuals who possess a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure and have risen through the ranks” in order to fill the position with an Indian.
If Gambhir is appointed the new coach of India, he will have to resign from his position at KKR because of BCCI’s conflict of interest regulations. He recently expressed his desire to collaborate with KKR to help them become the most successful IPL team ever to Sportskeeda.
Although the 42-year-old Gambhir has never coached at the professional or international level, he has served as a consultant for two IPL teams: the Lucknow Super Giants in 2022 and 2023 (the team made it to the playoffs both years), and the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.
Gambhir played a significant role in both India’s 2011 ODI World Cup victory and their 2007 T20 World Cup victory throughout a great international career. In addition, he led KKR for seven IPL seasons between 2011 and 2017, leading them to two IPL championships in 2012 and 2014.