“Salary Negotiation” Forces BCCI Delay In Gautam Gambhir Head Coach Announcement: Report

Following Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team concluding with the T20 World Cup 2024, the team is currently without a designated coach. VVS Laxman, head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA), has temporarily assumed the role for the upcoming 5-match T20I series in Zimbabwe with a second-string Indian squad. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has interviewed Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman for the head coach position, with Gambhir expected to be appointed, pending finalization of salary negotiations.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed that the new coach will take charge from the Sri Lanka series onwards, attributing the delay in the official announcement to ongoing discussions regarding Gambhir’s salary. Alongside Dravid, the tenures of his coaching staff, including batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip, have also ended. Once Gambhir’s appointment is confirmed, the board will proceed with hiring additional coaching staff.

Reports suggest that Gambhir is likely to have autonomy in selecting his support staff, potentially foregoing the appointment of a batting coach given his expertise as a top-level opening batsman during his playing career.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah stated earlier, “Both coach and selector appointments will be made shortly. CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe but new coach will join from Sri Lanka series.”

The Indian team’s upcoming schedule includes a tour of Sri Lanka for three T20Is and three ODIs starting July 27.