Aakash Chopra shared a lighthearted insight jokingly suggesting that Gautam Gambhir possibly Indias future head coach would face the uphill task of shepherding a transition among the Men in Blue whose playing days are slowly winding down.
Rohit Sharma captaining the Indian squad with Rahul Dravid as their mentor has steered them to the Super Eights of the 2024 T20 World Cup. An intriguing development awaits as a fresh head coach will be appointed post the tournament given Dravids decision to not contend for the position.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, Chopra commented that Gambhir, the favorite for the next head coach, faces a difficult assignment.
“Gautam Gambhir has given the interview. It’s been said that it was a virtual interview as opposed to WV Raman, who gave a fantastic presentation. I have just read that. Gautam Gambhir is the frontrunner in this race. It’s been said everywhere and we have also understood that.”
“I am saying it will be an interesting tenure because you will have to manage the transition here, and that is never an easy thing. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, maybe Ravindra Jadeja, especially their roles in T20s, there are plenty of people who are on the wrong side of 30, 35 to 37, including Ravichandran Ashwin.”
Aakash Chopra
The future trajectory of Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in T20Is post the unfolding T20 World Cup hangs in the balance. Intrigue surrounds whether they will pivot towards alternative cricket formats to extend their celebrated careers.
“A very important roadmap will have to be prepared” – Aakash Chopra on Gautam Gambhir’s role
According to Aakash Chopra, Gautam Gambhir would need to establish a strategy for India for a number of global events.
“In the next three to four years, when the 2027 World Cup comes, you have to prepare your team for that. There will also be a WTC in 2027 and a T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026. So a very important roadmap will have to be prepared.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator said that his fellow Delhiite must also communicate well with the retained and released players.
“It’s not going to be easy because it’s said that transitions are most difficult. A very important job is to not let performances drop when transitions are happening. Secondly, transitions happen properly when you communicate well because you need to explain the reasons to players who are being retained and let go of.”
Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra believes Gautham Gambhir will be the head coach and predicts interesting times for the Indian squad. He stated that Indian cricket is about to undergo a full renovation, with the new head coach handpicking the rest of the support staff.