Gautam Gambhir competes with WV Raman for BCCI head coach position: report

Gautam Gambhir, the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), is facing strong competition from former cricketer WV Raman for the head coach position of the Indian cricket team. Reports indicate that both Gambhir and Raman were interviewed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the coveted role on Tuesday. Gambhir’s potential appointment comes after he successfully guided Shreyas Iyer and his team to their third title in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

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Current Indian head coach Rahul Dravid is set to step down after the T20 World Cup 2024, marking his final assignment with the team. Dravid, who has been at the helm since November 2021, confirmed he would not seek an extension once his contract expires in June. With Gambhir in a prime position to take over, he was initially believed to be the sole candidate for the job.

However, News18 reported that both Gambhir and Raman were interviewed by BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). While Gambhir attended the interview virtually from his residence, Raman's presentation was noted to be "very impressive and detailed." A BCCI official mentioned, “Gambhir had a virtual interview but Raman’s presentation was very impressive and detailed. The CAC is likely to interview an overseas candidate tomorrow. Gambhir has the edge but Raman’s presentation was very thorough.”

WV Raman| BCCI

The report also highlighted that BCCI is still deliberating on the support staff positions for the new head coach. A source stated, “Yes, the head coach has a big say in these appointments because he would want people he is comfortable working with. Having said that, it’s not that straightforward and BCCI too can propose their own candidates or people they think are ideal for the job. Ultimately it will be Gautam Gambhir, who is likely to become the coach, who would decide his team.”

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An IANS report earlier revealed that Gambhir had put forward several demands to BCCI for the head coach role, including complete control over the team and separate squads for white-ball and red-ball formats. The report suggested that BCCI has agreed to these demands.

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BCCI had invited applications for the head coach position with a deadline of May 27. The new coach's contract will cover all three formats—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is—from July 2024 to December 2027.

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In June, Gambhir expressed his desire to coach the Indian team if given the opportunity. He said at an event in Abu Dhabi, “I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well.”

Gambhir, who is currently the mentor for KKR, was an integral part of India’s T20 World Cup-winning team in 2007 and the 2011 ODI World Cup team. His transition from a successful player to a mentor has been marked by notable achievements, making him a strong candidate for the head coach position of the national team.

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