After months of speculation, Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team was officially announced earlier this month by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Gambhir, who has taken over from Rahul Dravid, is currently in Sri Lanka with the Indian team for the upcoming white-ball tour. Gambhir emerged as the top choice after being one of the two candidates interviewed by the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), following his successful tenure as the mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Other notable contenders such as Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Mahela Jayawardene, and Stephen Fleming were also reportedly considered for the position.
The BCCI's primary focus was always on appointing an Indian coach, and Gambhir's official appointment on July 9 marked the end of Rahul Dravid's contract. Former Indian fast bowler Ashish Nehra's name was also circulating in the media as a potential candidate.
In a recent interview, Nehra explained his decision not to apply for the coaching role. The 45-year-old cited his young children and a lack of desire to be away from home for extended periods as reasons for declining the opportunity.
"Meri abhi kabhi us tareh soch nahi gayi hai. My kids are young. GG ke bacche bhi abhi young hai par sabki soch alag alag hoti hai, toh I am very happy where I am. I am not in the mood to travel for nine months (I never thought about it. My children are still young. Gautam Gambhir also has young children, but everyone has different ideas. That's why I am happy where I am. I am not in the mood to travel for nine months)," Nehra told Sports Today.
Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir has officially announced the appointment of two assistant coaches approved by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The full list of coaches will be finalized following the conclusion of the Sri Lanka tour. Gambhir expressed his satisfaction with the board's willingness to accommodate most of his requests as the head coach of the Indian team.
In a recent press conference, Gambhir disclosed that his former Kolkata Knight Riders teammates, Ryan Ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar, have been appointed as assistant coaches.
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