CSK head coach Stephen Fleming's name has to be the first to come up as reports have started circulating about potential successors to Rahul Dravid after the BCCI invited applications for the post of India's head coach. Former Australian national team manager and current LSG head coach Justin Langer has also expressed his curiosity. The BCCI job description for India's head coach post is as detailed as possible. It's a very high-profile, high-paying job, so there's no shortage of applicants. But who is the right person to take over from Rahul Dravid?
5 qualities BCCI is looking for in India's next head coach: Skilled strategist, handling of powerful players…
Let's look at five possible candidates.
Gautam Gambhir
The phrase 'a storm in a teacup' is trending these days and Gautam Gambhir embodies it in more ways than one. But apart from Gambhir's serious and frank talk, he has a sharp cricketing mind and after leading his Kolkata Knights Riders to his two IPL titles, in IPL 2024 he will be playing for KKR turned into a winning team. There is no doubt about Gambhir's qualifications as a coach and in light of some of the requirements that the BCCI has listed for a JD for the post of head coach, the former India international is probably the best candidate to meet those requirements. It would be no exaggeration to say that there is. .
For example, one of the key competencies listed by the BCCI is: “The head coach is responsible for reviewing, maintaining and enforcing the disciplinary code within the Indian men's team.” Well, isn't Gambhir the one? Also required to be a “skilled strategist”, Gambhir, who led LSG in 2022 and 2023 before taking up a leadership role at KKR this year, took KKR to the top. This showed how good a tactician he was. And if you need more convincing, here's another one of his takeaways from the BCCI job description. This may be Gambhir's only point. “You must be willing to meet the work expectations and pressures that come with working with a top player.'' What do you say?
Stay up to date IPL 2024Contains top candidates for IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap.explore the complete IPL 2024 Schedule, IPL 2024 points table and player Most six, most four and most 50's at IPL 2024
stephen fleming
Stephen Fleming has extensive experience as a coach and is well suited to the BCCI job description. The former New Zealand captain was the most consistent coach in IPL history, leading CSK to five titles and several Champions League trophies. Apart from the Chennai-based franchise, the former Kiwi skipper is also the head coach of SA20 side Joburg Super Kings and Major League Cricket side Texas Super Kings. Both are sister franchises of CSK. Fleming coached Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash for four years and also played for Southern Brave in The Hundred. However, his long association with CSK and his role with the franchise in the league will probably be the biggest hurdle for the BCCI in hiring the Kiwi.
Justin Langer
A defiant taskmaster, Justin Langer has been with the Australian men's team for almost four years, having been appointed to the job to replace Dareen Lehman in May 2018 in the wake of the ball-cheating scandal (Sandpapergate). Served as head coach. During his tenure, Australia lost the home Test series to India twice, but led the team to victory in the T20 World Cup in the UAE in 2021, and twice in the Ashes series in 2019 and 2021. Oversaw the victory. In the previous opening match, Australia claimed number one. He was ranked number one in the 2020 Tests and T20Is. However, Langer suffered an embarrassing departure as Australian coach, with players said to have rebelled against Langer's strong management style. Despite marathon negotiations to extend his contract, Langer resigned in 2022. Langer, who currently coaches LSG, could bring a wealth of people management skills and the ability to handle “major players.” However, it would be exciting if the BCCI were thinking of hiring an Australian as the head coach. Does anyone remember the Chapel days?
VVS Luxman
This is the most obvious choice, and perhaps the safest one, given that he is the current principal of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) – Dravid, before taking charge of the senior men's team. He was employed in that position. Laxman has also been appointed as the first team's stand-in coach in Dravid's absence, but various media reports suggest that Laxman is reluctant to take up the role.
top videos
See all
Cannes 2024: Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor's best looks from the festival over the years
Alia Bhatt Killed at Gucci Cruise Show 2025 I Tabu Returns to Hollywood I Ramayan Latest Updates I News Wrap
Jennifer Lopez opens up about her immense love for Dev Patel and desire to perform in India IExclusive
Janhvi Kapoor does a murderous method dressing very similar to Zendaya's style for the promotions of Mr. and Mrs. Mahi
Kartik Aaryan kicks off Chandu Champion promotion in style | Watch
andy flower
Flower was appointed England assistant coach in 2007 and became time director two years later. Under him, England won the Ashes in 2009, the T20 World Cup in 2010, the away Ashes series in 2010-11 and achieved number one in the Test rankings in 2011. Even after his spell with the England team ended, he continued his activities. He was involved with the ECB for nearly five years as part of the England Lions' Technical Director. He also became the franchise coach in PSL and CPL, helping Peshawar Zalmi to the top of the PSL points standings in 2016, leading Multan Sultans to their first-ever playoffs in 2020, and leading them to the playoffs for the first time in their history in 2021. He won the title in 2016. Multan reached the finals in 2022 and 2023. He led CPL team St. Lucia Zouks to back-to-back finals in 2020 and 2021. He coached the Punjab Kings in 2020 and 2021 in the IPL before taking over the role at LSG and leading them to the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Flower also won trophies in the ILT20 (Gulf Giants), The Hundred (Trent Rockets) and Abu Dhabi T10 (Maratha Arabians). Currently, Flower is the head coach of RCB in the IPL.
First published: May 15, 2024, 13:41 IST