(BCCI Credit)
On July 9, Gautam Gambhir assumed the position of head coach for the Indian men’s cricket team, succeeding Rahul Dravid whose tenure concluded in June 2024. Gambhir emerged as the chosen candidate after undergoing interviews conducted by the Cricket Oversight Committee (COC).
His impressive stint as the mentor of KKR during IPL 2024 bolstered his candidacy, making him a frontrunner for the role. Despite competition from renowned international contenders such as Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Mahela Jayawardene, and Stephen Fleming, the BCCI maintained a preference for an Indian coach, ultimately leading to Gambhir’s appointment.
Among the ranks of former Indian players, Ashish Nehra stood out as a viable contender for the coveted position, garnering support from numerous fans and cricketing legends.
However, despite widespread speculation and encouragement, the former fast bowler chose not to pursue the role. In a recent interview with Sports Tak, the 45-year-old provided insights into his decision-making process and the reasons behind his abstention from applying for the position.
He explained that his decision stemmed from the fact that his children are still young, and he wasn’t inclined to commit to extensive travel away from home for nine months.
“Meri abhi kabhi us tareh soch nahi gayi hai. My kids are young. GG ke bacche bhi abhi young hai par sabki soch alag alag hoti hai, toh I am very happy where I am. I am not in the mood to travel for nine months (I never thought about it. My children are still young. Gautam Gambhir also has young children, but everyone has different ideas. That’s why I am happy where I am. I am not in the mood to travel for nine months),” Nehra said.
Nehra made headlines in 2022 when he achieved a historic feat as the first Indian head coach to lead a team to an IPL title, guiding the Gujarat Titans to victory. In the subsequent season, despite his continued leadership, the team fell short in the final showdown against the Chennai Super Kings, ending as runners-up after a closely contested match that saw them lose by five wickets. His coaching tenure with the Gujarat Titans has been marked by notable achievements and competitive performances in the IPL.
