Former India cricketer WV Raman was one of the candidates interviewed for the position of head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team on June 18, alongside former India opener Gautam Gambhir. Both were interviewed by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik. Initially, it was believed that only Gambhir was shortlisted for the interview, but Raman emerged as a strong contender, contrary to the early reports.
WV Raman, a former India batter who made his international debut in January 1988, played 11 Tests and 27 ODIs for India. He also had a successful domestic career, representing Tamil Nadu in numerous matches. Notably, Raman has extensive coaching experience, having coached Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Punjab Kings, and the Kolkata Knight Riders as their batting coach in IPL 2024. He also served as the head coach of the Indian women’s national cricket team, guiding them to the final of the T20 World Cup in 2020. Additionally, Raman has worked as a batting coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Raman’s coaching career began post-retirement when he was appointed as the head coach of Tamil Nadu in 2006, where he achieved success by guiding the team to victory in the Vijay Hazare trophy. His coaching stints with various teams and his impactful role as the head coach of the Indian women’s team have showcased his expertise and comprehensive understanding of the game. During the interview for the head coach position, Raman’s detailed and comprehensive presentation left a strong impression on the CAC panel, reflecting his astute knowledge of the game and coaching acumen.
Despite Raman’s strong performance during the interview, it is deemed unlikely that he will surpass the KKR mentor, Gambhir, for the role of India’s head coach. Nonetheless, Raman’s coaching experience and noteworthy contributions to Indian cricket make him a formidable candidate for the position, adding an interesting dynamic to the selection process.
