Gautam Gambhir is set to take on a role that has eluded even prominent figures like Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri
Gautam Gambhir is set to take on a role that has eluded even prominent figures like Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) currently lacks a specific coach for its developmental teams.
Indian Head Coach Gautam Gambhir is joining the India ‘A’ team in preparation for the senior squad’s tour of England in June. According to reports, Gambhir will be the first head coach of Team India to accompany the A side on an overseas tour.
In recent years, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has utilized the expertise of National Cricket Academy coaches for roles with the India A and U19 teams. Notably, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have served as the latest NCA coaches to lead these junior squads on their tours. Following Dravid’s appointment as head coach of Team India, the duties for the India A and U19 teams were transferred to Laxman and other coaching staff.
Gambhir, on the other hand, is determined to change the status quo and has reportedly communicated his intentions to the board. Unlike his predecessors, Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri, who did not accompany the India A team while serving as head coaches of the senior squad, Gambhir is poised for a distinctive role.
As per a report from the Times of India, it remains unclear whether Gambhir will join the team in England as an observer or in his capacity as the coach of the India A team. Following a disappointing campaign in Australia, Gambhir is eager to assist the red-ball team in regaining its strength. A thorough analysis of the talent pool is essential for this endeavor.
“Gambhir has been in discussions with the BCCI since he returned from Australia. He has expressed his desire to travel with the India ‘A’ team to get a clearer view of the reserve pool. With India winning the Champions Trophy after Gambhir’s insistence for certain wild card players, one may expect him to assert more in future. One of the crucial issues identified is reviving India ‘A’ tours. There have been only a handful ‘A’ series after Dravid left NCA and all of those were shadow tours for a marquee series. Gambhir too believes that there needs to be more ‘A’ tours. That’s why he wants to take stock of the situation firsthand,” informs a BCCI source.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) currently lacks a specific coach for its developmental teams.
There remains a possibility that VVS Laxman, currently leading the National Cricket Academy (NCA), may take on the coaching role, which would mean Gambhir would join the ‘A’ team as an observer.
