Gautam Gambhir’s Post-IPL Final Chat with Jay Shah Fuels India Head Coach Speculation

Gautam Gambhir’s Post-IPL Final Chat with Jay Shah Fuels India Head Coach Speculation

After leading his team to an IPL trophy victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday night at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Gautam Gambhir, the coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, was elated. Along with celebrating with every KKR player, he also obliged with pictures, demonstrating his busy schedule. Amid the festivities, he had time to greet BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who was in attendance at the IPL final. They later had a long conversation, which raised rumors that he would be appointed England head coach.

As the frontrunner to succeed Rahul Dravid as head coach, Gambhir has surfaced. The 2024 T20 World Cup in June will mark the end of the legend of India. BCCI invited candidates to take Dravid’s place for the prestigious job, as he was unwilling to reapply. The agreement will remain in effect until the conclusion of the ODI World Cup in 2027.

During BCCI’s search, two Australian icons—Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer—were mentioned as potential candidates for the India head coach post. However, both men declined to apply. The board wants an Indian to take up the role since he is more accustomed to and knowledgeable about domestic cricket action than a foreign coach would be. Shah also explained that the BCCI never approached the two for the position. If Shah’s hinting at Gambhir’s preference for the position wasn’t enough, his actions on Sunday, when he saw the World Cup winner in 2011, congratulated him, took pictures, and had a long conversation with him outside of KKR’s celebration in Chennai, certainly did.

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As per the news that appeared in Dainik Jagran on Saturday, Gambhir has not yet submitted his application to become India’s head coach. He is keen on replacing Virat Kohli. After the IPL final, he might have a meeting with some BCCI executives in Chennai. But BCCI will publicly announce him as Dravid’s replacement as soon as he does. Because the story also states that Gambhir must speak with Shah Rukh Khan, KKR’s co-owner, before applying for the position, Gambhir finds himself in a bit of a pickle. Before the IPL 2024 season officially began, the Bollywood actor was instrumental in persuading Gambhir to rejoin KKR as the team’s mentor from the Lucknow Super Giants. He also encouraged Gambhir to lead the team for ten years, offering him a blank check with the stipulation that he would pay any amount he chose.