 "‘He is a good candidate’: Sourav Ganguly on Gautam Gambhir becoming next India head coach")
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly believes that Gautam Gautam Gambhir would make a good coach of the Indian cricket team if he had applied for the role. Ganguly was all for an Indian coach due to the depth of talent in the country and complemented Gambhir’s “hunger and passion” for the game, citing the example of IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where he is a mentor.
Gambhir will reportedly replace Rahul Dravid as India head coach. Rahul Dravid’s contract as India head coach is set to expire after the 2024 T20 World Cup, that concludes on 29 June.
Also read | Gautam Gambhir is the best candidate for India's head coach role, says Wasim Akram
“I am in favour of an Indian coach because we have enormous talent in our country, enormously high-skilled players who have done wonders for Indian cricket and very rightfully they should be a part of the system,” Ganguly said at the inauguration of the International Procurement and Supply Chain Conference in Mumbai on Saturday.
“…has he (Gambhir) applied? I really don’t know because first he has to apply and then only he will get the job…I think (May) 27th was the last date of application.”
“Obviously, BCCI has the right to extend it (the deadline) as well. If he applies and if he wants it, and I say if he applies and if he wants it, he will be a very good candidate,” added the 51 year-old.
Ganguly continued, saying that Gambhir was a “good candidate” for the job. “If Gambhir applies — you can see it on TV — he worked for KKR this year. I was with Delhi (Capitals), you can see the hunger, the passion and the want to win and I will be happy if he applies and if the board decides to give him the job, I think he is a good candidate,” commented the former Bengal cricketer.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsNotably, BCCI secretary Jay Shah had given a hint a few days ago that an Indian coach would be preferred. The likes of Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting and Stephen Fleming have all turned down the job.
“We are focused on identifying individuals who possess a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure and have risen through the ranks,” Shah said.
India, who are currently taking on Bangladesh in a T20 World Cup warm-up match against Bangladesh in New York, begin their campaign on 5 June against Ireland. The much-awaited India vs Pakistan match will be held at the same venue on 9 June.
Ganguly said that the Men in Blue had a good chance to lift the World Cup trophy and encouraged players to play fearless cricket. “…play without fear and just keep hitting. There is enormous talent, (this is) a team which has (Virat) Kohli, Rohit (Sharma), Surya (Suryakumar Yadav), (Rishabh) Pant, (Shivam) Dubey, (Hardik) Pandya, (Ravindra) Jadeja, Axar (Patel), (Jasprit) Bumrah, Sanju (Samson),” said the former BCCI president.
“That’s why I say everyone is capable of winning it for India and the only way they will do it is (if they) just play with freedom. Play with that extra batsman and hit from the first ball, hit till you have to defend (and) play like the last ball,” added Ganguly.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
