Gautam Gambhir has emerged as a potential candidate to become the next head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, with current coach Rahul Dravid’s contract expiring after the ongoing T20 World Cup.
According to multiple reports, Gambhir was the only applicant for the job and was recently interviewed by the BCCI or Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Cricket Advisory Committee-CAC.
During his interview, Gambhir reportedly presented five key conditions for accepting the role:
Full Control of Operations: Gambhir insists on having complete control over the team’s cricketing operations without interference from the BCCI.
Selection of Support Staff: He wants the authority to choose his own support staff, including batting, fielding, and bowling coaches.
Performance-Based Future for Senior Players: Gambhir stated that the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan would be the final opportunity for four senior players – Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammad Shami. If these players fail to help India win the tournament, they would be dropped from the team, although it’s not specified if this applies to all formats.
Separate Test Team: He proposes having a distinct team for Test cricket, separate from the limited-overs squads.
Roadmap for 2027 ODI World Cup: Gambhir plans to start preparing a strategic roadmap for the 2027 ODI World Cup from the outset of his tenure.
These conditions suggest a significant shift in the approach to team management and selection, particularly concerning the future of senior players like Kohli and Sharma, whose places in the team have already been under scrutiny.
Additionally, with India potentially playing in the World Test Championship final next year, there are questions about whether these senior players would continue in red-ball cricket if they do not perform up to expectations. India has lost the last two World Test Championship finals to New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023).
Gambhir’s proposed changes indicate a desire for a more performance-driven and autonomous approach to team management, aiming to rejuvenate the Indian cricket team ahead of future international challenges.
