'India Team Coaching is Slightly Different': Ex-Captain Says Gautam Gambhir 'Needs to Be Given Time'

With Rahul Dravid’s tenure as India’s head coach nearing completion, Gautam Gambhir seems to be the front-runner to grab the post. Several media reports have stated that the BCCI have zeroed in on the former India opener’s candidature and the official announcement is likely to be made later this month. In that case, Gambhir’s stint as the Indian head coach will begin July 1, 2024.

Meanwhile, former captain Anil Kumble has backed Gambhir as the worthy candidate to take up the job of Team India’s head coach. Speaking with ESPN Cricinfo, Kumble opined that Gambhir is capable of coaching India but he would need time as it’s a different ball game altogether.

“You will have to give him time. He is certainly capable. We have seen Gautam handle teams. He has been captain for India, for his franchise, for Delhi. He has all the credentials to be that. But, India team coaching is slightly different. You have to give him time to settle in. And like I mentioned, in case he does take up the job, he will have the task of looking at not just the current lot but also the future of Indian cricket,” Kumble told Cricinfo.

Important to choose the right candidate

Kumble, who served as India’s head coach in 2016-17, further said it’s important to pick the right candidate for the job who has the stability to handle the team in different situations.

“You have been a part of the system in some form or the other, whether you are a coach or a player, you’ve played with them or been associated with the team in some form or the other. I don’t think it certainly matters that much. What you need to certainly look at is the kind of candidature that you are going to pick and not necessarily go with whether this particular player or this particular coach has had a background of playing with the players and then that sort of coming in the way or not,” Kumble said.

“I think, it’s important that you need to choose the right candidate in terms of what they can bring it to the Indian team and someone who has the kind of stature and the credibility to handle certain situations in the game and someone who takes those calls,” he added.

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