Gautam Gambhir all set to become new head coach of Indian team

Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir is on the brink of assuming the role of the new head coach of Team India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to take place in the USA and West Indies next month. 

Reports from Cricbuzz indicate that discussions between Gambhir and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are underway, positioning him as the leading candidate for the coveted position.

The timing of this potential appointment is crucial, with the upcoming tournament marking the end of Rahul Dravid's tenure as coach. Sources suggest that Dravid is unlikely to reapply for the position, paving the way for a new head coach to take the reins.

Although there has been no official confirmation yet, Gambhir is believed to have submitted his application for the head coach role before the deadline on Monday, 27th May. 

Negotiations between Gambhir and the BCCI are reportedly ongoing, with both parties emphasizing the importance of serving the country's cricketing interests.

According to insider reports, discussions between BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and Gambhir revolve around the shared belief of, "we must do it for the country," highlighting a strong sense of national duty in the coaching selection process.

Gambhir himself has discussed the possibility of accepting the coaching role with close associates, including Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan. 

His recent stint as a mentor for KKR during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), where the team clinched the title for the third time, further solidifies his credentials for the head coach position.

India is in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and hosts USA. They kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5 at the newly-built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, followed by a highly anticipated match against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue. Subsequently, they will face USA and Canada on June 12 and 15, respectively.

India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad:

Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj.

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan