As Rahul Dravid confirms that the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will be his final assignment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team, speculation has begun about his successor. Among the names being considered are former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir, both of whom have expressed interest in the prestigious role.
Dravid, speaking ahead of India’s T20 World Cup opener against Ireland in New York on June 5, reiterated the significance of every game he has coached for India. “Every game I have coached for India is important. This is the last tournament in the job. I have enjoyed coaching India, it is great to work with these boys. It is a special job. But there are schedules where I find myself that at this stage of my life, I won’t be able to apply,” Dravid stated.
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With Dravid’s tenure concluding, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is evaluating potential candidates for the head coach position. Speaking to the media in Kolkata, Sourav Ganguly expressed his desire to coach the Indian team. “I would love to coach the Indian team. If he (Gautam Gambhir) wants to do it, I think he will be a very good candidate,” said Ganguly, who previously served as the BCCI president.
Gautam Gambhir, another prominent name in Indian cricket, has also shown interest in the role. During an event at Medeor Hospital in Abu Dhabi, Gambhir addressed the question of coaching the national team. “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 those across the globe as well,” Gambhir said, reflecting on the immense responsibility and honor the role entails.
The anticipation around the new head coach comes as India aims to end its ICC trophy drought, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Since then, India has reached the 50-over World Cup final in 2023, semi-finals in 2015 and 2019, the ICC World Test Championship finals in 2021 and 2023, and the T20 World Cup final in 2014 and semi-finals in 2016 and 2022 but has failed to clinch a major ICC trophy.
India’s T20 World Cup campaign is set to begin with a match against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan will take place on June 9, followed by matches against co-hosts USA on June 12 and Canada on June 15 to conclude their Group A fixtures.
Ganguly, discussing India’s prospects and the role of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, backed the team to perform well. “He (Rishabh Pant) will play well. He is a good player. The World Cup has not yet started; India is playing its warm-up matches. On 5th June, they are playing their first game. They will do well, they are a good side,” Ganguly said.
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