On Tuesday, former Indian opening batters Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman were interviewed for the prestigious role of head coach for the Indian men’s cricket team. The interviews were conducted virtually by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which is chaired by former Indian batter Ashok Malhotra and includes Sulakshana Naik and Jatin Paranjape as members.
Both candidates presented their visions and plans for the future of Indian cricket, impressing the CAC with their detailed and thoughtful presentations. WV Raman, currently a broadcaster for the ongoing India Women’s series and joining the interview from Bengaluru, has a wealth of coaching experience. He has previously coached the India Women’s team, held a long stint at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), and served various state teams and as a batting coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His extensive coaching background made him a natural choice for the shortlist.
Gautam Gambhir, on the other hand, has quickly emerged as the leading contender to succeed Rahul Dravid. Despite having less coaching experience outside the T20 format, Gambhir’s recent successes have bolstered his candidacy. He served as a team mentor for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022 and 2023 and led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title last month in the same capacity. His achievements in the IPL, coupled with informal discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hierarchy during the IPL Playoffs, have made him a favoured candidate.
The BCCI had announced in May that they were seeking applications for the head coach position, offering a long-term contract of three and a half years starting from July 1. Gambhir’s name has been frequently mentioned in connection with the role ever since these informal meetings.
While it remains unclear if other candidates were also interviewed, the CAC has been thorough in their selection process. In addition to the head coach interviews, the CAC also conducted interviews for a national selector’s post. The candidates interviewed included Mithun Manhas, Ajay Ratra, and Reetinder Singh Sodhi. Former speedster Salil Ankola is expected to step down, making way for a cricketer from the north zone, with Manhas being a strong favourite for the position.
The final decisions regarding these crucial roles in Indian cricket are anticipated soon, with Gambhir likely to take over as head coach. His leadership, strategic acumen, and recent success with the Kolkata Knight Riders have impressed both the CAC and the BCCI hierarchy.
Raman’s rich coaching background and Gambhir’s leadership skills present the CAC with a challenging decision. Both candidates bring unique strengths to the table, and the final choice will be pivotal for the future of Indian cricket. As the BCCI prepares to announce its decisions, fans and cricket analysts alike await with bated breath to see who will steer the Indian cricket team forward.
