Lengthy chat between Gautam Gambhir and Jay Shah after IPL 2024 final fuels India head coach speculation

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir was elated on Sunday night at the MA Chidambaram Stadium following his team's victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, securing the IPL trophy for the third time in history. In the midst of the celebrations, where he joyfully engaged with KKR players and took photographs, Gambhir also found time to meet BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who attended the IPL final. Their meeting and subsequent lengthy discussion ignited rumors about Gambhir potentially becoming the next head coach of India.

As Rahul Dravid's tenure as India's head coach is set to conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024 in June, Gambhir has been highlighted as the leading candidate to take over. Dravid has decided not to reapply for the role, prompting the BCCI to seek new applicants for this high-profile position. The new coach's contract would extend until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup, marking a significant commitment and opportunity for Gambhir should he be selected.

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The search for India's new head coach saw some big names from Australia thrown around, like Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer. However, neither of them showed interest in the job. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president made it clear they weren't considering them anyway, and wanted someone familiar with Indian cricket. They believe an Indian coach would understand the domestic scene better than a foreigner.
Adding fuel to the fire, the BCCI president met with Gautam Gambhir recently. They celebrated KKR's win together, even posing for pictures and having a long chat. This could be a big hint at who the frontrunner might be for the India's head coach position.

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According to reports, Gautam Gambhir, who is keen on succeeding Rahul Dravid, has not yet applied for the position of India's head coach. Plans are underway for a potential meeting with some top officials of the BCCI in Chennai following the IPL final. Once he submits his application, the BCCI is expected to officially declare him as Dravid's successor.

However, Gambhir faces a quandary. He needs to discuss his potential application with Shah Rukh Khan, the co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, before proceeding. Shah Rukh Khan was instrumental in persuading Gambhir to rejoin KKR as a mentor, luring him away from Lucknow Super Giants before the start of the IPL 2024 season. As per some reports, the Bollywood superstar not only encouraged him to lead the team for the next decade but also offered him a blank cheque, demonstrating his willingness to meet any of Gambhir's financial demands.

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