Gautam Gambhir could finally smile. His team Kolkata Knight Riders had just achieved what he planned for since taking over as the mentor of the side. After Sunday, Gambhir can boast of being an IPL champion as a mentor. That too with a team which he led to title in 2012 and 2014. After KKR beat SunRisers Hyderabad by eight wickets, chasing down a 114-run target in just 10.3 overs, Gambhir was a happy man. His mission for IPL 2024 had just been completed.
But that was not all. Gautam Gambhir’s name is dong the rounds to be the next India coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid. After the final, Gambhir could be seen engaged in an intense discussion with BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
VVS Laxman and Gautam Gambhir were the top Indian names to emerge as the board rolled out the advertisement to find Rahul Dravid’s replacement. The likes of Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming, etc. were also reported to be on the board’s shortlist. But, it seems like the No. 1 candidate on the BCCI’s radar is Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir.
As per a report in Dainik Jagaran, Gambhir is also keen on taking up the job of India’s head coach, though this is only his first year as the mentor of KKR. But, the former India batter has ‘one condition’ before he fills out the application form.
The report claims that Gambhir is only willing to apply for the post if he is given a ‘selection guarantee’. The former India opening batter isn’t keen to just be an applicant for the post. Only certainty of selection as Dravid’s replacement would see Gambhir throw his hat in the ring.
