Gautam Gambhir has reportedly been confirmed as the next head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team. As per a report by Cricbuzz, one of the IPL team owners has confirmed that Gambhir becoming the next head coach of the Men in Blue is a done deal, and the announcement will come soon.
Gambhir will become the fourth consecutive former Indian cricketer to become the national team’s head coach. Before him, Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid have served in this role. In fact, Dravid is still the head coach, and India will play the T20 World Cup 2024 under his guidance.
As per the details released by BCCI, the new head coach, which will likely be Gambhir, will be serving the role until the 2027 World Cup. Rohit Sharma is unlikely to play that ODI World Cup. Hence, here’s a list of two players whom Gambhir might appoint as ODI captain.
1. Gautam Gambhir might select Shreyas Iyer as next ODI captain
Shreyas Iyer has done a phenomenal job as the skipper of the Kolkata Knight Riders. He became an IPL-trophy winning captain just a few days. In the coaching staff of KKR, Gambhir was present as a mentor. He would have closely observed Iyer’s leadership skills.
Not many fans would remember that when Gambhir played his last IPL season for Delhi Daredevils in 2018, he handed over the captaincy to Shreyas Iyer before retiring. Hence, he sees Iyer as a potential leadership candidate.
2. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson is another cricketer who has shown brilliant leadership skills in the last three years of IPL. He knows how to use the available resources in the best way possible. Gambhir has observed him closely as well during his tenure as a commentator. It should not be a surprise if Samson gets a chance to lead India in ODIs when Gambhir is head coach.
