Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir was in high spirits after his team won their third IPL title in MA Chidambaram Stadium against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.
Gambhir, a key member of KKR, was seen celebrating with his team members and obliging fans with selfies on the ground. Amidst celebrating he took some time to meet and greet BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, sparking speculations about his potential future as India’s head coach.
Gambhir has been the frontrunner to replace Rahul Dravid, whose tenure ended by the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. With Dravid not applying for the position again, the BCCI has opened the spot for his successor, with the contract slated to end by the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Several Australian legends like Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer were linked to the spot earlier.
However, both have denied applying for the post, and Shah clarified that BCCI would recommend an Indian Player as the coach who is more familiar with domestic cricket.
Therefore, this condition places Gambhir in a favourable position for the role.
On Sunday, Jay was seen congratulating him, taking photos and engaging in lengthy conversations on the sidelines of KKR’s celebration in Chennai. These interactions fueled further speculations. This gesture was seen by many as an endorsement of Gambhir’s candidacy for the head coach role.
Gambhir’s potential appointment as head coach is highly anticipated due to his extensive experience and successful track record, both as a player and as a mentor.
His strategic acumen and familiarity with the current crop of Indian cricketers make him a strong candidate for the head coach.=