Gautam Gambhir: The new India cricket coach who doesn’t like ‘star culture’

At 42, Gautam Gambhir, is the youngest head coach within the historical past of the Indian cricket group.

He succeeds Rahul Dravid whose tenure completed with the lately concluded T20 World Cup.

Dravid declined an extension to spend extra time along with his household. VVS Laxman, his former batting accomplice, was initially favoured however opted to remain on the Nationwide Cricket Academy. This cleared the trail for a brand new face, leading to an uncontested choice.

Some surprising developments prior to now six-seven months had fast-tracked Gambhir’s candidature.

Final November, he unexpectedly resigned as mentor of IPL franchise Lucknow Tremendous Giants after guiding them to the knockout phases in two earlier seasons. As an alternative, he reunited along with his former IPL group Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the place he had beforehand led them to titles in 2012 and 2014 as a captain.

In March, Gambhir, who joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Social gathering (BJP) after retiring from cricket in 2018 and was elected MP for East Delhi within the 2019 common election, knowledgeable the BJP management of his choice to go away politics to totally dedicate himself to cricket as soon as once more.

Nonetheless, his credentials to be head coach of the nationwide group obtained tepid consideration till KKR hit a purple patch profitable a number of matches on the trot and turned the deal with him.

The method of choosing a chief coach is complicated.

The Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) broadcasts a name for functions by way of the media, inviting candidates from India or overseas who meet particular eligibility standards (like performed 30 Exams or 50 ODIs, beneath 60 years previous).

Functions are reviewed by the Board’s Advisory Committee (CAC). Shortlisted candidates are then invited for one-on-one interviews to current their imaginative and prescient for advancing Indian cricket.

The candidate who places ahead essentially the most spectacular methods and processes is picked for the job.

In Gambhir’s case, the absence of any rival made the duty of the CAC a no brainer.

After the BCCI’s discover searching for functions for the put up, tales about some abroad coaches being approached informally (probably self-instigated) started swirling round, however died a fast dying.

Not like prior to now, when an abroad coach was sought to counter factionalism, favouritism, and parochialism in Indian cricket, at this time’s desire is for an Indian coach who higher understands the nation’s ethos, tradition, and psychology.

Former India opener W Raman, who has coached the Indian ladies’s group, did specific curiosity in taking on the project. His CV was spectacular, however at 59, he maybe sensed he didn’t have time on his aspect to construct up a three-year game-plan that might get a buy-in from the BCCI and held again.

Gambhir was the only applicant, and his profitable mentorship of KKR to an IPL triumph made him the frontrunner. With Dravid’s agency stance in the course of the T20 World Cup that he would not proceed, Gambhir’s appointment grew to become inevitable.

His appointment is not with out benefit although. Past his IPL success, he has spectacular credentials as an India participant. A trendy left-handed batsman, he debuted in 2003 and is one in all India’s most completed openers with stellar performances throughout all codecs.

As an example, in 2009, in opposition to New Zealand within the second Check at Napier, Gambhir batted 436 balls to attain an epic 137 that helped India save the match after being compelled to comply with on. This knock helped India win the collection.

Two years earlier, within the remaining of the inaugural T20 World Cup remaining in opposition to Pakistan, Gambhir was the highest scorer with 75. Equally, within the 2011 ODI World Cup remaining in opposition to Sri Lanka on the Wankhede Stadium, he top-scored with 97.

Feisty and blunt, Gambhir’s intense, unsmiling manner has usually led critics to see him as unapproachable.

On his half, Gambhir claims he decries the deal with stars relatively than star performances in Indian cricket. He believes the model worth of some gamers should not overshadow the intrinsic betterment of Indian cricket.

The pinnacle coach of India is among the many most coveted jobs within the sport, guaranteeing, other than monumental status and energy, a lip-smacking pay package deal in extra of $1m per 12 months plus bonuses. However in a cricket-crazy nation, this doesn’t come with out nice burden of duty and humongous stress of expectation.

For the subsequent three years, India has a busy calendar – it’s going to take part within the Champions Trophy this 12 months, the World Check Championship subsequent 12 months, the T20 World Cup in 2026 and the ODI World Cup in 2027, together with bilateral assignments.

Gambhir should handle dressing room superstars, oversee generational transitions, and implement adjustments in mindset, methods, and abilities to take care of and improve India’s place in cricket.

Being head coach is a prestigious position, however Gambhir has a formidable process forward.