Former India coach Lalchand Rajput says Gautam Gambhir is the right candidate to take Indian cricket forward since he is a shrewd tactician, a no-nonsense guy and someone who adds value to the set up being a two-time World Cup winner.
Dravid, who was appointed as the head coach in November 2021, has stated that the current T20 World Cup taking place in the USA and Caribbean will be his last tournament in charge.
The BCCI invited applications to apply for the role last month with May 27 as the deadline. Plenty of high profile names have been linked with the role including Gambhir, Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming among others.
Reports in the media claim that Gambhir is the frontrunner for the top job but there hasn’t been any official word from the former India batter or the BCCI if he has even applied for the job.
“Gambhir is a no-nonsense guy, he has played cricket the hard way and he reads the game well and that has been seen for KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) as well,” Rajput, who coached India to T20 World Cup win in 2007, told PTI in an exclusive interaction on Tuesday.
Rajput cited the example of Kolkata Knight Riders’s winning run at the IPL.
“KKR was the same team last year and you see the difference that he made this year. He is a shrewd tactician as well,” said Rajput.
Rajput also stated that Gambhir’s experience as a two-time World Cup winning Indian player would come in handy.
“I am sure with all his experience — he has won two World Cup (wins) as a player — that will really add value. He is a good candidate, but it all depends upon BCCI who they want. He will be the right candidate to take Indian cricket forward,” Rajput added.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah had recently rejected reports claiming that unofficial discussions were held with Ponting regarding the coaching job during IPL 2023.
Gambhir also kept quiet on the matter, until very recently when the KKR mentor shared his thoughts on the same.
“I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and those across the globe as well,” said the 42-year-old at an event in Abu Dhabi.
With Gambhir now expressing his desire to coach the national side, there is a bright possibility of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) making a direct announcement and not following the usual drill of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) interviewing potential candidates.
(with inputs from agencies)
Stay updated with the latest from T20 World Cup 2024. Explore T20 World Cup Match Today. Check Updated list of Highest-run getters and Highest Wicket-Takers In T20 World Cup 2024. Check T20 World Cup 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours , Most Fifties And Most HundredsIn T20 World Cup 2024.
Comments
0 comment