The BCCI did not consult Virat Kohli before naming Gautam Gambhir as India’s new head coach, following Rahul Dravid’s exit. The board kept Hardik Pandya in the loop. Despite Kohli’s much-talked-about, feisty on-field relationship with Gambhir, this did not hinder the former opener’s appointment. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik, unanimously recommended Gambhir’s name. Along with former batter WV Raman, Gambhir was one of the only two candidates to appear for the interview for India’s head coach position. On Tuesday, BCCI announced that Gambhir will replace Dravid and take charge of the team from the Sri Lanka white-ball series.
At 42, Gautam Gambhir is India’s youngest head coach. Although his predecessor, Rahul Dravid, shared the dressing room with the current team stars during the latter stage of his playing career, Gambhir retired from all forms of cricket barely five years ago. His last Test match was under Virat Kohli’s captaincy in 2016.
Gambhir’s relationship with Kohli, especially on the field, has been contentious. They have had multiple on-field feuds in the IPL, the most infamous being in IPL 2023 when Gambhir and Kohli nearly came to blows after a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants, where Gambhir was LSG’s mentor.
However, the relationship seemed to take a turn for the better in the last IPL season. Kohli took the mic to tease at suggestions of friction between him and Gambhir, and their embrace during the IPL was seen as a sign that the relationship was being repaired.
Despite this, the BCCI did not want to take any chances. With Kohli now retired from T20Is, the BCCI top brass focused on the future and thus did not consult the former captain about Gambhir’s appointment.
There is enough time for the two to have conversations over the table. But it was important for the BCCI to look at the big picture with many youngsters likely to feature in the coming years,” a source stated. This decision underscores the board’s forward-thinking approach, prioritizing the integration of fresh talent under Gambhir’s leadership.
Gautam Gambhir’s relationship with ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma will also be interesting to observe. Rohit had a fantastic rapport with Rahul Dravid, which many believe contributed significantly to India’s success in recent years, culminating in the T20 World Cup trophy. Rohit has made no secret of his preference for Dravid to continue, at least until he is certain to play the lead in ODIs and Tests. However, the legendary cricketer wanted to return to his family.
Both Rohit and Kohli are unlikely to feature in Gambhir’s debut series as India’s head coach. The star players have reportedly requested a longer break from the selectors and are expected to return for the home Test series against Bangladesh. This development highlights the transitional phase the team is entering under Gambhir’s leadership, with a focus on integrating new talent and preparing for future challenges.
Hardik Pandya back in leadership role
Dial24news has learned that Hardik Pandya was among the few players consulted by the Indian board before Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as head coach was made public.
The all-rounder has made a remarkable comeback after a challenging first half of 2024 and is likely to be named India’s full-time T20I captain. This will mark his second stint at T20I captaincy. Previously, Pandya led the Indian T20I side from late 2022 until the end of 2023 but was never officially designated as the captain. Rohit Sharma took over right before this year’s T20 World Cup. However, Hardik served as the vice-captain and played a pivotal role in the team’s triumphant run.
