Gautam Gambhir’s support staff for the India men’s team is set to include coaching professionals renowned for their exceptional work in state cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), with plans underway to retain at least one member from Rahul Dravid’s outgoing staff.
While the selection process for the remaining positions continues, Abhishek Nayar, a key figure in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ backroom team for several years, is likely to join Team Gambhir.
It’s no surprise that Gambhir has chosen Nayar (40), a former India all-rounder with three ODIs under his belt from 2009.
Their strong professional rapport at KKR and Nayar’s reputation for dedication make him a fitting candidate.
Nayar has also collaborated closely with India captain Rohit Sharma in the past, adding to his credentials.
He is expected to assume the role of assistant coach rather than specializing as a batting coach, a role Gambhir might take on himself.
Reports suggest that T Dilip, who served as the fielding coach under Dravid, is likely to be retained despite initial interpretations that Dravid’s entire team would be replaced.
The BCCI’s appreciation for Dravid’s team in their official statement did not exclude the possibility of retaining key personnel like Dilip.
Regarding the bowling coach position, discussions are ongoing.
Names such as Lakshmipathy Balaji and Vinay Kumar, both with prior experience under Gambhir at KKR, are under consideration.
However, the BCCI might seek a high-profile candidate known for nurturing young talent, crucial for India’s burgeoning fast bowling resources like Harshit Rana, Tushar Deshpande, and Mayank Yadav.
The focus remains on strengthening India’s fast bowling reserves, a pivotal aspect of the team’s recent success.
While deliberations continue, the final decision on the coaching lineup is yet to be made.
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