As Gautam Gambhir, the new Indian coach, is currently engrossed in setting up a team of support staff that his vision, he is preparing to take up the humongous challenges for his 3 year term. The financial aspects of how much he will be paid for the job are yet to be finalized but Gambhir sees it as “the least of his worries” at this point.
In an official announcement on Tuesday, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah informed that Gautam Gambhir had been appointed as the head coach of India which was something many people had foreseen. The exact amount he will earn has not been disclosed until now but it is believed to be similar to what Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri were earning when they occupied those positions before him.
According to a source in BCCI, “It was important for Gautam to take charge and salary and other stuff can be worked out as it’s not going anywhere. It is same like Ravi Shastri back in 2014 when he became the first-ever Director of Cricket over head coach Duncan Fletcher,” mentioned a BCCI source close to Parami News.
“The day Ravi joined, he didn’t even have a contract and things worked out. In case of Gautam also, some finer details are being worked out. The salary will be in the same range of Rahul Dravid,” he added.
The understanding is that Gambhir will get his own support team who will also work closely with NCA (National Cricket Academy) coaches. NCA Coaches Head Pathways teams (India A and U19) as well targeting individual players at any given time.
“My focus is going to be on working closely with BCCI, Head Of cricket – Mr VVS Laxman; Support staffs and most importantly Players as we move closer to winning future competitions,” said Gambhir.
Laxman who has been travelling with young T20 team in Zimbabwe is expected to have discussions on the future course of action once he returns. The conversations will involve the newly appointed head coach, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and two captains Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya.
Thoughts around Team India support staff
There’s so much expectation about Gambhir’s key support staff.
One such person has been KKR academy chief and former Mumbai legend Abhishek Nayar who has played an advisory role behind IPL franchise; His specialty as a life coach comes to play as he was able to mould individual players into better performers. Interestingly his closeness with current captain Rohit Sharma makes his name even stronger for assistant coacheship.
A Delhi-based BCCI office-bearer had reportedly suggested L Balaji and Zaheer Khan for the position of the bowling coach. There were also some suggestions that R Vinay Kumar might be preferred by Gambhir. However, this proposal was rejected by BCCI officials though no official confirmation from Jay Shah, BCCI secretary yet.
For example, while Jonty Rhodes’ name has come up again as possible fielding coach, BCCI always liked producing its own dentistry experts.
As an example R Sridhar and T Dilip worked their way up through NCA and India U19 under Shastri and Dravid respectively. Munish Bali could be one candidate who may suit this profile having nurtured many young talents before there is any speculation on him according to insiders.
The Sri Lanka T20I and ODI series squads will be announced within a very short time. Gambhir, whose main focus as an IPL-winning KKR mentor has been ODIS and Tests is likely to maintain this emphasis in the next season.
Huge tasks are ahead
For his first major test, Gambhir’s maiden challenge is with India’s upcoming Test series against Australia, crucial game in view of India’s recent success under Ravi Shastri in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
This series will commence at Optus Stadium in Perth, which has become known for its difficult tracks and will be the first five-match contest between these two nations since 1991-92.
After working on his strategic skills during his captaincy stint with Delhi at the Ranji Trophy from 2013-17, Gambhir’s stature as a red-ball coach remains under scrutiny as India faces potential disqualification from the World Test Championship.
This timetable also includes Champions Trophy to be hosted by Pakistan subject to BCCI approval. On cricketing engagement with Pakistan, Gambhir’s voice has always been heard because of his open support for Indian Military.
Now that he is once again on the BCCI payroll; it will be interesting to see how he handles such issues particularly when India could miss out on a leading ICC tournament due to such decision.
