Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble passed his verdict on the possibility of Gautam Gambhir succeeding Rahul Dravid as the next Indian team head coach.
Dravid’s tenure as India coach will end after the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 and BCCI has invited applications for a new head coach offering a three-year contract. And many reports suggested that Gautam Gambhir turned out to be the leading candidate for the job.
While the former India star doesn't have formal experience coaching an international side, he did play a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders' third IPL title win last month, playing the role of the side's mentor.
Anil Kumble – who had also been the side's head coach between 2016-17 – stated that Gambhir's appointment might have a positive influence on the Indian team. Kumble argued that the Indian dressing room needs an individual with a “strong demeanor” and Gambhir suits.
“You need somebody with a strong demeanor, and you want continuity. Rahul (Dravid) has done a fantastic job, and hopefully, for him and India's sake, he has a swansong with the World Cup. What you also have to keep in mind is that some of the senior players are coming towards the backend of their careers. You need players who go through the transition period and ensure India doesn't miss out the quality in the bowling and batting department. You pick and choose and transition through,” Kumble told ESPNCricinfo.
Kumble stated that Gambhir has the qualities to be India's head coach, but noted that, despite his success with KKR, the BCCI will need to give Gambhir time.
“You have to give it time. He certainly is capable. We have seen Gautam handle teams. He has been a captain for India, for his franchise, for Delhi. He has all the credentials to be that. But the Indian team's coaching is slightly different, you have to give him time to settle in. Like I mentioned, in case he takes up the job, he will have the task of looking at not just the current lot, but also the future of Indian cricket,” said Kumble.
Gambhir has played alongside several contemporary Indian cricketers, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. For Kumble, however, familiarity is irrelevant as long as the individual is qualified.
“Today, you have been a part of the system in some form or the other. Whether you're a coach or player, you've played with them or been associated with them in some form or other. It doesn't matter that much. What you look at is the candidature and not whether this particular coach has a background of playing with the players.
I think it's important to choose the right candidate in terms of what they can bring to the Indian team and someone who has the stature and the credibility to handle certain situations in the game. Someone who is not afraid to take those calls,” Kumble said.
