'Key is How He Manages India's...': CAC Member Reveals How Gautam Gambhir Will Find Success as the New Head Coach

Gautam Gambhir has been named as the Indian cricket team’s head coach and he takes over the rein at a time when there’s euphoria over their success at the T20 World Cup. The expectations will be sky-high given what Gambhir has done in IPL and there’s a big challenge that awaits the two-time world cup winner in guiding the talented youngsters.

Former Indian cricketer, selector and currently a member of the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), Jatin Paranjape says the key to success will be how the new coach handles the wealth of talent at the team’s disposal.

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“It depends on where the team is at the moment. Three years ago, we were ready to take on new challenges after beating Australia, and Rahul took the team forward from there. For the next few years, considering the ICC’s future tours program, the key is how the new coach will handle this bank of amazing talent,” Paranjape told CricketNext.

After winning the T20 World Cup 2024, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja called time on their T20I careers signaling the end of an era. Gambhir will be tasked with figuring out who will lead the side in the long-term perspective and also help build a team capable of winning global tournaments.

Another key issue that will need to be managed is the workload of the bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami who have been the key elements in the Indian bowling attack across all formats.

“How will they manage workloads for players like Bumrah and Shami to maintain their strength for major tournaments like the 2027 ODI World Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup? The ideal candidate should be able to manage and strengthen the human capital of the team over their term,” Paranjape said.

Bumrah was out for nearly a year because of a back issue while Shami has yet to play a single game since the ODI World Cup in 2023 due to a heel injury for which he underwent surgery.

India also has some talented pacers like Arshdeep Singh who has been crucial in the side’s victorious campaign at the T20 World Cup where he finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament. It will be vital that he also makes his move across other formats too.

Gambhir’s tenure as the head coach is set to begin during India’s away series against Sri Lanka which features a three-match T20I and ODI series beginning July 27.