BCCI approaches Gautam Gambhir to become India’s head coach: Reports

Gautam Gambhir, the former India left-handed opener, has reportedly been approached by the BCCI to potentially become the next head coach of the India senior men’s team.

According to ESPNCricinfo, the BCCI has reached out to Gambhir, who currently serves as a mentor to the KKR in the Indian Premier League, to find out whether he would be interested in filling the vacancy once Dravid leaves the role.

Further discussions between Gambhir and the board are expected to take place at the end of KKR’s campaign although 27 May has been set as the deadline for applications for the head coach’s role, which is a day after the IPL final.

The development comes as the BCCI officially opened applications for the India men’s head coach’s position, with a deadline set for May 27.

Dravid had taken over as head coach from Ravi Shastri after the 2021 T20 World Cup and has overseen India’s runner-up finishes in the ICC World Test Championship Final and the ODI World Cup besides an Asia Cup triumph — all in 2023.

His contract as head coach was originally set to end at the end of the ODI World Cup but was extended till the T20 World Cup. Dravid has asked the BCCI to not give him another extension as head coach.