Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman were both interviewed for approximately 40 minutes each by the Cricket Advisory Committee for the role of India’s head coach. The interviews took place over Zoom, as both Gambhir and Raman preferred virtual interaction. The CAC members, including Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik, were impressed by the presentations of both candidates. It is reported that Gambhir is the frontrunner for the head coach role, and another round of discussion is expected to take place before the official announcement by the BCCI.
During the interviews, the CAC asked several questions focused on the candidates’ vision for the next three years, including their ideas regarding the coaching staff, handling the transition phase with ageing players, views on split captaincy, fitness parameters, and addressing the team’s failure to win ICC trophies.
Gambhir’s successful mentoring of the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 trophy has added substantial weight to his coaching credentials, despite his lack of coaching experience outside of the IPL. His potential appointment would mark a departure from Rahul Dravid’s pathway to coaching, as Dravid transitioned from India U19 and A coach to international coaching. However, the transition of recently retired cricketers to coaching, as seen with Gambhir, has its positives, given his extensive experience and understanding of the changing demands of present-day cricket.
Both Gambhir and Raman delivered impressive presentations during their interviews for the head coach role, with Gambhir emerging as the likely frontrunner. The final decision on the head coach is awaited, and the BCCI is expected to make the announcement after further discussions.