
(PTI Photo)
Anil Kumble delved into the potential appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the next head coach of the Indian cricket team.
Amidst speculation, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir is widely rumored to be in contention for the role of head coach. The BCCI initiated the selection process during the Indian Premier League season last month, with numerous reports suggesting Gambhir as a leading candidate. Despite lacking formal coaching experience at the international level, Gambhir played a pivotal role as mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders, contributing to their recent IPL title victory.
Gambhir’s coaching acumen was further evidenced by his mentorship role with the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2022 and 2023 IPL seasons, guiding the team to playoff berths. Additionally, his successful captaincy with the Knight Riders, leading them to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, underscores his leadership capabilities.
With Rahul Dravid’s tenure set to conclude post the T20 World Cup, former Indian captain Anil Kumble, who previously served as head coach from 2016-17, weighed in on the potential impact of Gambhir’s appointment. Kumble argued that the Indian dressing room requires a figure with a “strong demeanour,” a characteristic he believes Gambhir embodies, suggesting his suitability for the role.
“You need somebody with a strong demeanour, and you want continuity,” Kumble told ESPNCricinfo.
“Rahul (Dravid) has done a fantastic job, and hopefully, for him and India’s sake, he has a swansong with the World Cup. What you also have to keep in mind is that some of the senior players are coming towards the backend of their careers. You need players who go through the transition period and ensure India doesn’t miss out the quality in the bowling and batting department. You pick and choose and transition through.”
Kumble further remarked that Gambhir possesses the requisite credentials to assume the role of Indian head coach. However, he acknowledged that despite Gambhir’s successful stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders, the BCCI would need to afford him time to transition into the new role.
“You have to give it time. He certainly is capable. We have seen Gautam handle teams. He has been a captain for India, for his franchise, for Delhi. He has all the credentials to be that. But Indian team’s coaching is slightly different, you have to give him time to settle in. Like I mentioned, in case he takes up the job, he will have the task of looking at not just the current lot, but also the future of Indian cricket,” said Kumble.
For Kumble, the fact that Gambhir has previously played alongside several current Indian players, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin, holds little significance. In his view, what truly matters is the candidate’s suitability for the role, regardless of any pre-existing familiarity with the team members.
“Today, you have been a part of the system in some form or the other. Whether you’re a coach or player, you’ve played with them or been associated with them on some form or the other. It doesn’t matter that much. What you look at is the candidature and not whether this particular coach has a background of playing with the players,” said Kumble.
“I think it’s important to choose the right candidate in terms of what they can bring to the Indian team, and someone who has the stature and the credibility to handle the certain situations in the game. Someone who is not afraid to take those calls.”