In the search for the next head coach of the Indian cricket team, it seems that Gautam Gambhir has become the clear favorite among the BCCI. Rahul Dravid’s tenure is coming to an end with the Twenty20 World Cup, and a number of candidates, including Justin Langer and Stephen Fleming, have emerged as possible successors to The Wall. None of them, though, is quite as convincing as Gambhir, who guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to their fourth IPL final on Tuesday in Ahmedabad by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets.
Gambhir the frontrunner
Although Gambhir and the BCCI have not yet spoken, the Times of India has reported that they are anticipated to do so at some point during KKR’s visit to Ahmedabad.
“There has been no formal communication with the potential candidates. All these coaches are biding their time and weighing options. But it seems Gambhir’s stocks have risen. It is likely that the board officials will speak with Gambhir in Ahmedabad, where he is with KKR for the IPL playoffs,” TOI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
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Kohli and Gambhir’s issue won’t be a problem
The report also eliminated the chance that Gambhir’s previous spat with some of the team’s seniors, most notably Virat Kohli, would be a hindrance.
“If people are talking about Gambhir’s friction with Virat Kohli, it can be confirmed that the two have always got along well off the field. Even after the bust-up during an IPL match last year, the two were made to sit down and sort out any issue if they indeed had one,” the source further said.