The BCCI started its hunt for the head coach of the Indian cricket team in April this year. Rahul Dravid is currently serving as the chief coach and his term expires after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA this month.
With Dravid categorically stating that he will not apply for the job owing to the schedule of the national team, it is certain that the Indian team will have a new coach at the helm post the T20 World Cup 2024.
Having mentored Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the IPL 2024 title, former India opener Gautam Gambhir is considered as front-runner for the high-profile post.
While Gambhir is yet to clear the air regarding the same, he shared his views on the Yo-Yo test during a recent interaction. Notably, players needed to clear the Yo-Yo test with a qualifying mark of 16.1 or better to break into the India side when the duo of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri were at the helm.
According to Gambhir, a player getting axed or overlooked for not clearing the same isn't fair. Instead, he believes a player should be primarily judged on the basis of his skillset.
"Fitness should be a factor, but I also do not agree that we have to pass a fitness test to be called fit. I don't agree to that. Fitness should directly be related to the trainer. If a trainer feels that you're fit enough, some people are physically strong from a point of view that they can lift a lot of weights in the gym," Gambhir told Sportskeeda.
"But if you don't select someone just because of a yo-yo test, I don't think that's the right way. You select players on their talent, on their batting skills, on their bowling skills. And it is the trainer's job to keep working on their fitness and keep making them better physically as well. Just because someone doesn't pass a yo-yo test and doesn't get selected, I think that is a bit unfair," he added.
Earlier this month, Gautam Gambhir expressed his desire to coach the Indian team if he gets an opportunity.
During his interaction with young sports enthusiasts at Medeor Hospital in Abu Dhabi, Gambhir was asked whether he wishes to coach the Indian cricket team or not.
To which, the 42-year-old replied: “...I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and more across the globe as well and when you represent India, how can it get bigger than that? It is not me that will help India win the World Cup, it is 140 crore Indians who will help India win the World Cup. If everyone starts praying for us and we start playing and representing them, India will win the World Cup. The most important thing is to be fearless.”
