The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) interviewed two former Indian cricketers, Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman for the position of the Indian head coach, Indian sources reported on Tuesday.
Gautam, who won the 2011 ODI World Cup, attended the interview virtually from his residence in Delhi while Raman, former India women's cricket team head coach, worked out a detailed presentation, which, as per the source, impressed the board.
Gambhir’s name has been in the news to replace Rahul Dravid, who will step down at the end of the T20 World Cup 2024, but the BCCI will interview an overseas candidate on Wednesday as well.
“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,” a BCCI source told Indian media.
Despite Raman’s impressive presentation and another interview with an overseas coach pending, the BCCI is keen on appointing Gambhir as the head coach. The former batter recently guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their first Indian Premier League (IPL) title since 2014 while serving as a mentor.
Once the head coach is finalised, the CAC will focus on appointing support staff for the Indian cricket team because the coach will have a say in the appointments of the staff.
“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 candidates or people they think are ideal for the job. Ultimately it will be Gautam Gambhir who would decide his team,” the source said.
It is worth mentioning that India are currently in the T20 World Cup Super 8 where they are in Group A alongside Australia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
The Blues last won an ICC trophy in 2013 and they have, since then, been struggling to lift it. The closest they came was in the ODI World Cup 2023 where they were beaten by Australia in Ahmedabad.
- Gautam Gambhir
