Gautam Gambhir, the new head coach of the India cricket team, is encountering unexpected resistance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding his preferred coaching staff as per ET. Despite his successful tenure as a player and politician, Gambhir is finding the cricketing field less accommodating.
Gautam Gambhir appointment and challenges
Gautam Gambhir‘s appointment as head coach was anticipated, though not universally accepted within the BCCI and among players. Known for his bluntness and serious demeanour, Gambhir has often been a polarising figure.
Upon taking the role, he submitted a wish list for his coaching staff, but his choices have not been fully endorsed by the BCCI.
Gautam Gambhir preferred coaching staff rejected
Gautam Gambhir recommended Abhishek Nayar as assistant coach, a suggestion that the board seems to have accepted, although no official announcement has been made. However, his choices for bowling coach—R Vinay Kumar and L Balaji—were not approved in the initial discussions.
Additionally, his proposal for Ryan ten Doeschate as fielding coach was met with lukewarm enthusiasm, and South Africa’s Morne Morkel was also rejected as a potential bowling coach.
KKR dominated India coaching staff
Interestingly, all these candidates have a common link: they have been part of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coaching setup, a team Gautam Gambhir has been closely associated with.
Despite their credentials, the BCCI’s decision to turn down these names marks a departure from previous practices where head coaches were allowed to select their support staff.
Why BCCI rejected Gautam Gambhir’s preferences?
Historically, BCCI has permitted head coaches to bring in their own support staff. Greg Chappell, Gary Kirsten, Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, and Rahul Dravid all had significant say in their coaching teams. This shift in approach towards Gambhir’s recommendations is notable.
An insider suggested to Economic Times that the BCCI is signalling to Gambhir that while he was chosen as head coach, he will not have unchecked authority. This change might also reflect a broader shift in the BCCI’s decision-making process, which now appears to be more centralised.
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Player Relations and Potential Challenges
At 42, Gautam Gambhir has shared dressing rooms with several current Indian cricketers, and some of these relationships have been strained due to on-field rivalries. While players do not have an official say in coaching appointments, their collective influence can impact team dynamics.
Gautam Gambhir’s early days as India’s head coach are proving challenging as he navigates resistance from the BCCI over his coaching staff choices. How he manages these initial hurdles could set the tone for his tenure with the Indian cricket team.
