Jayawardene and Gambhir Emerge as Frontrunners for Indian Cricket Coach Role.
As the deadline for applying as India’s new head coach nears, past IPL successes have put Mahela Jayawardene and Gautam Gambhir in contention. The unassuming Jayawardene has impressed as Mumbai Indians’ Director of Cricket, winning three IPL titles since 2017 and forging a successful partnership with captain Rohit Sharma. His experience with Sri Lanka also makes him a reputed manager.
Sources say the 46-year-old was on the BCCI’s radar even when Dravid replaced Shastri. If he chooses to apply, his credentials will be hard to overlook.
Gambhir, too, has seen fruitful stints with IPL franchises, but taking on a near year-long assignment with the national team instead of lucrative commentating gigs demands scrutiny.
The 42-year-old is known to speak his mind but handling inflated egos within the side could prove his mettle. However, his impact on the new team KKR this season shows astute leadership.
Stephen Fleming’s deep association with CSK and commitments elsewhere make him an unlikely venture. The potential of names like Ponting and Langer exiting their roles also swirls speculation.
With the coveted job entailing relentless tours, the leading contenders will be evaluated on their vision and man-management skills to take Indian cricket forward.
