Coach Ki Khoj: Deadline ends but BCCI, Gautam Gambhir remain mum – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The deadline for submitting application for the position of Team India head coach closed on Monday but both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the leading candidate, Gautam Gambhir, have remained tight-lipped about the situation.

Gambhir’s name has gained significant traction, especially after he led the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title on Sunday.

Neither the BCCI nor Gambhir has made any official statements yet as it appears that the Indian cricket board may not have a wide range of high-caliber candidates to choose from at present.

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.

(With inputs from PTI)