Gautam Gambhir Tipped to Succeed Rahul Dravid as India Head Coach, BCCI President Hints

Following the conclusion of Rahul Dravid‘s tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team after the T20 World Cup, speculations regarding his successor have been rife in the cricketing circles. While multiple names were floated for the coveted position, prominent among them was Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Recent statements made by the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Roger Binny, have provided strong indications that Gautam Gambhir may indeed be the chosen candidate for the role. In an interview with news agency ANI, Binny hinted at Gambhir’s potential appointment, emphasizing the value of his extensive experience as a versatile cricketer.

Expressing his views on the matter, Binny stated, «Gautam Gambhir has got a lot of experience and if he takes the job it’s definitely going to be a good thing for Indian cricket. He is experienced, and India needs a coach who has played across all three formats of the game.»

Gautam Gambhir himself had previously conveyed his eagerness to lead the Indian cricket team, proclaiming it as the utmost honor in his career. In discussions with the Press Trust of India (PTI), Gambhir articulated, «I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honor than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well.»

Prior reports had cited Gambhir outlining specific conditions for assuming the head coach position, including autonomy in team selection and support staff decisions, dedicated Test cricket-related team management, and the authority to make calls on underperforming senior players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja following the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy event.

While Gautam Gambhir may lack formal coaching experience, his successful mentoring roles with Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders have underscored his abilities to guide teams to commendable performances. His mentorship at KKR notably culminated in the team securing the IPL 2024 title after a decade.