Speculations are rife as Gautam Gambhir emerges as the prime contender to replace Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team post the ongoing T20 World Cup. Reports suggest Gambhir was the sole applicant for the role and recently faced the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) for an interview.
During the interview, Gambhir reportedly laid out five specific conditions for accepting the BCCI’s proposal, as reported by Navbharat Times.
Firstly, Gambhir emphasized on having full autonomy over the cricketing operations of the team, free from any interference by the board.
Secondly, the former opener, a two-time World Cup winner, intends to handpick his support staff, including batting, fielding, and bowling coaches.
Thirdly, and notably contentious, Gambhir highlighted the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan as a crucial event. He suggested that senior players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammad Shami could face exclusion if they fail to contribute to India’s success in the tournament. However, it remains unclear if this would apply across all formats.
Fourthly, Gambhir proposed the formation of a distinct Test cricket team.
Lastly, he plans to begin strategizing for the 2027 ODI World Cup immediately.
The potential impact of these conditions, especially regarding the future of Kohli and Rohit, remains uncertain amid their ongoing career uncertainties. Moreover, India’s prospects in the World Test Championship final next year could further influence selection decisions.
With Gambhir’s demands outlined, the cricketing fraternity awaits BCCI’s decision, which could reshape the future trajectory of Indian cricket under new leadership.