Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as head coach of the Indian cricket team has stirred significant attention, especially given his history with star batter Virat Kohli. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed Gambhir’s selection, replacing Rahul Dravid, and he will join the team for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka starting later this month. The BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), consisting of Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik, unanimously recommended Gambhir for the role.
Interestingly, Virat Kohli was not consulted by the BCCI before the announcement of Gambhir’s appointment. Kohli’s fiery on-field relationship with Gambhir is well-known, highlighted by their infamous spat during an IPL 2023 match in Lucknow. Despite their public reconciliations during IPL 2024, Kohli’s opinion was not sought, likely because he is no longer part of the T20I setup.
A BCCI official mentioned that there would be ample time for Kohli and Gambhir to discuss matters, but the focus was on the broader picture, especially with many young players expected to join the team in the coming years.
Additionally, Hardik Pandya, who is a frontrunner to become India’s next T20I captain, was consulted regarding Gambhir’s appointment. However, the relationship between India captain Rohit Sharma and Gambhir remains to be seen, especially since Rohit had expressed his preference for Dravid to continue as head coach.
Reports suggest that both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have requested extended breaks from the BCCI and are likely to miss Gambhir’s debut series as head coach against Sri Lanka. India is scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs against Sri Lanka, starting on July 28.
