Virat Kohli  ignored, Hardik Pandya kept in loop by BCCI before appointing Gautam Gambhir as head coach - Reports

Gautam Gambhir became the head coach of the Indian cricket team on July 9, 2024.

In a surprising turn of events, senior cricketer Virat Kohli was not consulted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) before appointing Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team, whereas all-rounder Hardik Pandya was kept in loop regarding the decision, according to reports.

The 42-year-old Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid, whose tenure as head coach ended on a memorable note with the Indian cricket team winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados on June 29. 

BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced the appointment of the new head coach Gautam Gambhir on his social handle ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) on July 9.

Gambhir’s first assignment with the Men in Blue will start with an away white-ball tour against Sri Lanka in July and August. The Indian side are scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs from July 27 to August 7. However, the schedule for the upcoming series is yet to be confirmed by the two cricket boards.

BCCI ignored Kohli before taking big call on head coach Gautam Gambhir

In the past, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir have shared a bitter-sweet relationship. However, both cricketers shared a heartwarming moment during the Indian Premier League 2024, where the duo hugged and shared smiles with each other.

However, a new report by the Hindustan Times stated that the BCCI didn’t consult Kohli before taking the big decision regarding the appointment of Gambhir as the head coach of the senior men’s cricket team.

“There is enough time for the two to have conversations over the table. But, it was important for the BCCI to look at the big picture with many youngsters likely to feature in the coming years,” a BCCI official told Hindustan Times.

All-rounder Hardik kept in loop by Indian cricket board

The report in the Hindustan Times further added that World No. 2 all-rounder Hardik was one of the few players whose suggestions were taken by the BCCI before appointing Gambhir as India’s head coach.

Rohit Sharma announced his T20I retirement after lifting the T20 World Cup 2024 on June 29 and it is understood that Hardik might lead the Men in Blue in the shortest format. In the T20 World Cup 2024, Hardik was also the vice captain of the team.

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