Following their T20 World Cup triumph and Rahul Dravid’s exit, team India will have their next head coach from the Sri Lanka limited-overs tour later this month, BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed on Monday.
Shah, however, did not divulge the details of who has been appointed as Dravid’s successor. However, it is understood that former India opener Gautam Gambhir will be the most likely candidate to take over the reins of the senior men’s side. The Cricket Advisory Committee had recently conducted the interviews for the head coach where Gambhir and former India women’s coach WV Raman made the shortlist.
Before the Sri Lanka tour, a young side led by Shubman Gill will feature in a limited-overs tour to Zimbabwe, starting July 6. The six-match Sri Lanka tour will begin on July 27.
“Both coach and selector appointments will be made shortly. The CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai, I will act according to whatever they have decided. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe but a new coach will join from the Sri Lanka series,” Shah told the media from Barbados.
Seniors to continue for Champions Trophy, World Test Championship
Shah lauded the presence of the senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Indian squad which helped end an 11-year drought for an ICC title. While Rohit led the batting charts for India besides leading the squad, Kohli emerged as the Player of the Match in the final with his 59-ball 76.
While Rohit and Kohli announced their T20I retirements shortly after the win, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja joined the duo on Sundayin leaving the format.
“We won all games (ODI World Cup) except the final in 2023 as Australia played better. This time we worked even harder and played better to win the title. If you look at other teams, experience counts. From Rohit to Virat, all excelled. Experience makes a lot of difference, in World Cups you can’t experiment much also.
“A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game, we saw that yesterday. You look at Rohit’s strike rate, it is better than a lot of young players,” Shah said.
Shah added that the transition has gradually begun with the retirement of Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja.
“I would want India to win all the titles. We have the biggest bench strength, only three to four players from this team are going to Zimbabwe.
Shah confirmed that the seniors will continue to form the core in the ODI and Test formats as India target next year’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the third World Test Championship final.
“The way this team is progressing, our target is to win World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there,” said Shah.
With PTI inputs
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