Why hasn't BCCI announced Gautam Gambhir as next Team India head coach?

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir looks all set to become the next head coach of the India men’s cricket team. Rahul Dravid’s tenure as India head coach ended following India’s triumphant run at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they beat South Africa in the final in Barbados. Gambhir has been heavily tipped to take over as India head coach .

Having said that, Gambhir was one of the only other two applicants to appear for an interview by the Cricket Advisory Committee, with the other candidate being the former women’s cricket team coach WV Raman.

Recently, the 42 year-old was also seen reportedly doing a farewell video for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), whom he mentored to their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title this year, thus ending a second stint with KKR.

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That’s yet another sign that points towards Gambhir’s likelihood of becoming the next India head coach, but why is it taking time for the BCCI to officially announce Gambhir as the next head coach?

Why BCCI have not officially announced Gautam Gambhir as next India head coach

The answer is simple. According to The Indian Express, the delay in officially announcing Gambhir as next India head coach is due to the salary negotiations between the BCCI and Gambhir. The report adds that both the involved parties are in the “final stages” of salary negotiations, and that the announcement will be made official once Gambhir’s salary is finalized.

It was also mentioned in the advertisement for inviting applicants for the post of India head coach that the salary is “negotiable and will be commensurate with experience."

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As for Gambhir’s remuneration, the former KKR mentor is likely to receive a salary higher that Rahul Dravid, whose annual remuneration was approximately Rs 12 crore.

This will be Gambhir’s first exposure of coaching in international cricket. Gambhir was previously a mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for two seasons before shifting base back to KKR ahead of IPL 2024. KKR clinched the IPL trophy for the third time earlier this year, beating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final.

India, who are currently playing a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe in Harare, are being coached by National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman. Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, has clarified that a new head coach would be appointed ahead of India’s limited-overs series against Sri Lanka in the island nation that begins on 27 July.

The BCCI will also be inviting applications for the support staff, the Indian Express report adds. The contracts of batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach T Dilip all ended following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup that was held in West Indies and USA.