Reports: BCCI looking to sign both Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman as coaches

Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Former India batter Gautam Gambhir is by far the frontrunner to be the next head coach of the Indian men’s senior team after Rahul Dravid’s tenure ends. Alongside Gambhir, former cricketer WV Raman has been shortlisted as one of the potential picks for the next Indian head coach.

Comparing the experience between both prospects, Gambhir has only served as a mentor for IPL (Indian Premier League) franchises, Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders. In his first season as KKR’s mentor, Gambhir helped the side win their third IPL title.

On the other hand, WV Raman holds vast coaching experience that ranges from domestic cricket to the IPL and the women’s national team.

“The Indian cricket board must look at utilising the services of both Raman and Gambhir. There are numerous ways in which one can do that – say have Gambhir as head coach and Raman as batting coach or allow Raman to have more say in red ball. Lot of ways one can use them because both can benefit Indian cricket and that’s what one should look at,” a source in the know was quoted as saying by News18.

“Raman has seen these youngsters grow from close quarters when he filled in as coach during different U-19 and A series. He can be your right guy to handhold these players as the side is set to undergo a massive transition in the next couple of years. That is likely to begin in T20s after the World Cup and ODIs, Tests will witness that too in the next 12-15 months,” the source added.

It is also worth noting that for the first round of interviews, Gautam Gambhir appeared virtually, whereas WV Raman was physically present. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) was prepared to give a tough time to both Gambhir and Raman as they presented their views on being the next head coach of the Indian team.