‘Private Conversation With Shah Rukh Khan…’: Gautam Gambhir’s Future With KKR Uncertain After Prospects of India Head Coach Role Brighten

Gautam Gambhir’s second stint with Kolkata Knight Riders may have resulted in instant success for the franchise but it may last just one season after claims that he’s the top candidate to succeed Rahul Dravid as the Indian men’s cricket team head coach.

Gambhir has been involved with IPL both as a player and as part of backroom staffs of franchises like Lucknow Super Giants and KKR.

Gambhir was the captain when KKR won their two IPL titles and in his new role as the mentor of the franchise, has seen the team finish at the top of the standings this season and then qualifying for the title clash.

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Thanks to his success with Lucknow Super Giants (also as mentor) and KKR, the former India opener is being projected as the leading contender even though the BCCI hasn’t had any formal communication with the two-time world cup winner as of yet.

According to a report in The Times of India, Gambhir exiting KKR after the success they have had under him in IPL 2024 may eventually boil down to a “private conversation with Shah Rukh Khan (co-owner), if it comes to that.”

It was Shah Rukh who himself reportedly convinced Gambhir to return to KKR as mentor ahead of IPL 2024 and the two share a warm relationship.

There have been a host of high-profile names who have been linked to the India head coach’s role recently including the likes of Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer.

Recently, Ponting had claimed to have held informal discussions for the role during IPL and that he turned down the prospect because of his lifestyle.

However, BCCI secretary Jay Shah rejected the reports denying the board hasn’t approached any former Australian cricketer with a coaching offer.

“Neither I nor the BCCI have approached any former Australian cricketer with a coaching offer. The reports circulating in certain media sections are completely incorrect. Finding the right coach for our national team is a meticulous and thorough process. We are focused on identifying individuals who possess a deep understanding of the Indian cricket structure and have risen through the ranks. It’s crucial that our coach has an in-depth knowledge of our domestic cricket framework to truly elevate Team India to the next level,” Shah said in a statement.