In a highly anticipated development, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir and ex-Indian women’s team coach WV Raman faced a rigorous interview process for Team India’s head coach position. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), thoroughly probed the candidates as they presented their visions for the role that Rahul Dravid will soon be vacating.
While Gambhir participated in the interview virtually, Raman was said to be physically present before the CAC. The selection committee posed three crucial questions to both aspirants, as per RevSportz. These included ideas for the coaching staff, strategies for managing the transition phase with aging players, and their perspectives on split captaincy, fitness protocols, and the team’s struggle to win ICC trophies.
Gambhir, whose name has been widely speculated for the coveted position, is believed to have impressed the CAC with his leadership skills demonstrated while helming the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This has made him the “ideal candidate” to succeed Dravid.
Interestingly, Raman, the former Indian women’s team coach, had wished Gambhir well for the role, stating, “I’ve always rated Gautam Gambhir as one of the best captains in the IPL. He’s always been intense and tactically sound.
His success comes purely from his efforts. He is committed to cricket and does not try to conform to others’ expectations. If he takes the India role, I wish him all the best.”
Meanwhile, Gambhir is also said to have presented certain demands to the CAC, the most significant being creating separate teams for white-ball and red-ball cricket. The BCCI is expected to announce the new head coach only in the final stages of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
