The BCCI and the number one player on their wishlist, Gautam Gambhir, both remained silent about the development despite the time for applications to become the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team ending on Monday.
Given that Gambhir led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL victory on Sunday, it makes sense that his reputation would be growing. Although none of the interested parties has made any public statements, it appears that the BCCI doesn’t currently have a lot of excellent possibilities.
It is understood that no notable foreign name has applied for the post, especially after BCCI secretary Jay Shah made it clear that the Board is looking at someone who has risen through the ranks and knows the domestic structure.
It could be safely said that the BCCI’s primary target was VVS Laxman, the National Cricket Academy head, but the stylish Hyderabadi seems not interested in a full time position which requires him to available for 10 months a year.
“The deadline is fine, but the BCCI brass wouldn’t mind taking some more time before reaching a decision. Right now, the team will be busy with World T20 for the better part of the month of June. After that seniors will be rested from tours of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe where any of the NCA-based senior coaches can accompany the team. So what’s the hurry,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Also, KKR principal owner Shah Rukh Khan shares a deep bond with Gambhir and it is not easy to leave an IPL team which has been a part of identity for the former India opener.
There’s another aspect that needs to be look into seriously — what senior India players, currently in New York, feel on whether Gambhir can indeed be Rahul Dravid’s replacement.
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Image source: NDTV
