The BCCI confirmed Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the new head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team on Tuesday (July 9). The former opening batter replaced Rahul Dravid after his contract came to an end last month. Along with Dravid, batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip’s tenure also ended last month.
The 42-year-old Gambhir, who is set to remain at the helm till December 2027, is expected to bring his own staff, and according to reports, the hero of India’s win in the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2007 T20 World Cup final wants former Mumbai cricketer Abhishek Nayar as batting coach and Karnataka pacer R Vinay Kumar as bowling coach.
But according to a report in ANI on Wednesday (July 10), BCCI is not interested in Vinay’s appointment and is in discussion with former India pacers Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipathy Balaji to become the new bowling coach.
“BCCI discussing the names of Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipati Balaji for the position of bowling coach. BCCI is not interested in the name of Vinay Kumar,” a source was quoted as saying by ANI.
Zaheer is one of the greatest Indian pacers of all time and was the joint leading wicket-taker in the 2011 ODI World Cup, which India won by getting the better of Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final played at Wankhede Stadium. On the other hand, Balaji played 8 Tests, 30 ODIs, and five T20Is for India. He was part of CSK and KKR in the IPL and has also served as CSK’s bowling coach in the cash-rich league.
Gambhir is set to start his stint as India’s head coach on July 27, when India will take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I of a three-match series. During the Sri Lanka tour, India will also face the Islanders in three ODIs.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who announced retirements for T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2024 final, are set to be rested for the white-ball tour and will make a comeback to the Indian team during a two-match Test series against Bangladesh in September.
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