The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), consisting of Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik, conducted the first round of interviews for the next head coach of the Indian men’s team on Tuesday. Two-time World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir, the firm favourite to succeed Rahul Dravid, appeared virtually. Former India opener and women’s team coach, WV Raman also made a presentation. Another round of interviews is likely on Wednesday.
Gambhir has become a prominent candidate after helping Kolkata Knight Riders clinch their third IPL trophy on his return to the franchise as a mentor. Raman has coached Tamil Nadu and Bengal in the domestic circuit and served as the assistant coach of Punjab Kings before becoming the batting coach of Kolkata Knight Riders. In 2015, he was appointed the batting coach at the National Cricket Academy and became the head coach of the women’s national team in 2018.
RevSportz has learnt that the CAC mainly posed three questions to both Gambhir and Raman:
1. What are your ideas regarding the coaching staff of the team?
2. With a few aging players in both the batting and bowling departments, how will you handle the transition phase?
3. What are your views on split captaincy, fitness parameters concerning workload management, and addressing the team’s failure to win ICC trophies?
Both Gambhir and Raman were clear with their ideas and presented detailed proposals. Gambhir reportedly suggested a few specific names for the coaching staff. RevSportz had earlier reported that Jonty Rhodes is in line to become the fielding coach.
In a previous interview with RevSportz, Raman had praised Gambhir’s leadership qualities.
“I’ve always rated Gautam Gambhir as one of the best captains in the IPL. He’s always been intense and tactically sound. His success comes purely from his own efforts. He is committed to cricket and does not try to conform to others’ expectations. If he takes up the India role, I wish him all the very best.”
Manhas likely to become selector
Meanwhile, Mithun Manhas is likely to be appointed as the selector from North Zone, replacing Salil Ankola from West Zone. Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, is also from West Zone. Other candidates for the selector’s post include Kishan Mohan, Nikhil Chopra, and Reetinder Singh Sodhi.