“Who is the next bowling coach for Indian Cricket Team” – has become the most discussed question on social media in recent times. As the term of Paras Mahambrey, who was the bowling coach of team India, has come to an end, BCCI is in the hunt for a new bowling coach for team India.
Right after Rahul Dravid announced his decision to step down as Indian head coach after the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 many names including former international players circulated throughout the internet as the possible replacement for Dravid.
While a report states that BCCI approached former Australian players to take up the role, BCCI secretary Jay Shah stepped forward and rejected such claims.
After multiple claims and rumours, BCCI named former Indian cricketer and two-time World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian Men’s Cricket team.
Gautam Gambhir was a member of the Indian cricket team that won the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2010 Asia Cup, and 2011 Cricket World Cup.
After announcing his retirement in December 2018, Gambhir hasn’t coached any cricket team. But Gambhir was the mentor for Lucknow Super Giants(2022, 2023) and Kolkata Knight Riders(2024) in IPL.
Under his mentorship, Kolkata Knight Riders won their second IPL title in 2024 after a whopping nine-year gap.
Right after taking the huge responsibility, the 42-year-old’s first assignment will be the upcoming India tour of Sri Lanka, which features 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is and kicks off on July 27.
Right after Gambhir was officially named as the head coach of the Indian Men’s Cricket team many names started to roll out which Gambhir suggested to include in his support staffing unit.
But before heading towards his support staff details, we have an interesting incident to discuss which is the retirement announcements of Indian senior players Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja.
Gambhir’s entry and senior players’ exit create a huge room for budding young cricketers like Jaiswal, Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and many others. These youngsters possess a great strength to fill the shoes of their senior players.
Under Gambhir’s guidance, the young Indian cricket team is expected to outshine their competitors in the international games.
Apart from an excellent head coach, a handful of experienced and knowledgeable support staff are required to build a perfect team. Gautam Gambhir who usually gives importance to building a perfect backroom, implements the same in the Indian cricket team.
A week after his appointment, Gambhir suggested the inclusion of Ryan ten Doeschate in the backroom staff who was one of his assistants during his tenure with KKR in the IPL 2024 season.
Later the former Indian cricketer advocate BCCI to include Morne Morkel in the support staff unit for the Indian cricket team.
Morne Morkel and Gambhir worked together during the IPL 2022 and 2023 seasons when the duo coached and mentored LSG respectively. Morne Morkel was the bowling coach of LSG while Gautam Gambhir was the mentor of the same team.
Apart from trusted reports, many names started to be rumoured over social media as the replacement for the current Indian bowling coach. As BCCI has not yet revealed any official names for their vacant coaching roles, many names from inside news spread like wildfire.
The next bowling coach for Indian cricket team and in the good books of Gautam Gambhir along with India’s lead Pacer suggested by BCCI are,
- Laxmipathi Balaji
- Morne Morkel
- Zaheer Khan
Apart from Gambhir, only one name has been confirmed so far in the Indian coaching staff unit. Kamlesh Jain is the Indian Men’s team physio who is also a former KKR staff member.
