The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced that they are looking for a new head coach for the Indian Senior National Team. The new coach will start on July 1, 2024, and will work with the team until December 31, 2027, covering important tournaments like the ICC events.
Rahul Dravid, the current head coach, is unlikely to continue after the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA. His term was supposed to end after the ODI World Cup in November, but the BCCI decided to extend it until the T20 World Cup in July. During Dravid’s tenure, India didn’t win any ICC Trophy. The team performed decently, reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup and the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, they couldn’t win the home World Cup. Now, everyone is eager to know who will replace Dravid as the Indian team’s coach.
In this article, let’s discuss the top 5 potential candidates to take over as the coach of the Indian Cricket Team after Rahul Dravid’s tenure.
1. VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman is likely to lead the national cricket team after the T20 World Cup. He has coached at a high level before. Laxman was part of the Indian team that won the Gold Medal in the 2022 Asian Games in China. He has also coached the senior national team a few times when Rahul Dravid wasn’t available.
Laxman has experience mentoring Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. He guided them to the IPL finals in 2016 and 2018. For the past three years, he has been the head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA). There, he has been helping young Indian cricketers grow through the board’s pathways program.
However, recent reports suggest he may not apply for the head coach position of the senior team. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
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2. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting is a well-known candidate to replace Rahul Dravid as the Head Coach of the Indian cricket team. He is a legendary Australian cricketer known for his strategic skills. Ponting has been successful as a coach with the Delhi Capitals since 2018. Earlier, he also coached the Mumbai Indians from 2014 to 2016, helping them win the IPL title in 2015. Ponting has a talent for developing young players into top performers.
He has a good relationship with Rishabh Pant and other young Indian players, which makes him a strong contender for the senior team’s coaching role. Many believe appointing Ponting could help India win more trophies. In a recent interview, Ponting expressed his interest in coaching the Indian team.
3. Justin Langer
Justin Langer has played a crucial role in Australian Cricket’s recent success. He led Australia to win the 2021 T20 World Cup and drew the Ashes series in England in 2019. Known for his deep understanding of cricket and smart strategies, Langer is highly respected in the cricket world. Currently, he is coaching the Lucknow Super Giants in the TATA IPL 2024.
India has not won an ICC Trophy for over ten years. Bringing in Justin Langer could greatly benefit the team. He could inspire fearlessness and foster a winning mentality among the players. His technical expertise could also help develop young Indian cricketers during this period of change.
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4. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, is a strong competitor both on and off the cricket field. He led the Kolkata Knight Riders to win in the 2012 and 2014 seasons of the Indian Premier League. Known for his skill in managing players, Gambhir brings out the best in individuals. Currently, he coaches the Kolkata Knight Riders and has been instrumental in their success, consistently finishing in the top 2. Recently, he also helped the Lucknow Super Giants reach the playoffs in consecutive years. His straightforward approach and support for players will contribute to India’s cricket team achieving new heights globally.
5. Stephen Fleming
Stephen Fleming, who currently coaches the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), is a top choice to become India’s head coach. He’s led CSK to five IPL championships, proving he’s an excellent coach who has made CSK very strong in the IPL. He’s known for understanding players well and staying calm under pressure, which could bring stability to the Indian team and help them stay composed during tough situations. But there are worries about how busy the national team coach’s schedule is, which makes franchises hesitant to let go of their successful coaches.
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