Rahul Dravid’s support team, comprising batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey and fielding coach T Dilip, have also parted ways with the Indian National Cricket Team. This comes after their tenure with the team ended after the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Rahul Dravid, who was originally set to part ways with the team after the 2023 ICC World Cup, was given an extension till the 2024 T20 World Cup along with his support staff. But now that the tournament is over, the governing body has roped in Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian National Cricket Team.
The appointment of Gautam Gambhir marked the end of the careers of Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach), T. Dilip (fielding coach) and Vikram Rathour (batting coach). The Board of Cricket Control in India issued an official statement on the matter and stated:
“The Board also congratulates Mr. Paras Mhambrey (Bowling Coach), Mr. T. Dilip (Fielding Coach) and Mr. Vikram Rathour (Batting Coach) for their successful tenure. The BCCI values their contribution and wishes them all the best for the future.”
There have been several reports that Gautam Gambhir has requested the BCCI to give him a free hand in selecting his support staff. However, the governing body has allowed him to do so and it is learnt that Gambhir has already held informal talks with his new support staff.
Gautam Gambhir is known to want Abhishek Nayar as an assistant or batting coach in the team. The former Indian cricketer is the assistant coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders and worked with Gambhir in the 2024 edition. The duo worked incredibly well and guided the team to the title win in the tournament.
Apart from Abhishek Nayar, Gautam Gambhir also wants Vinay Kumar as his bowling coach and Jonty Rhodes as his fielding coach. The former South African player worked with Gambhir at Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.
Under the leadership of Rahul Dravid and his support team comprising Vikram Rathour, Paras Mhambrey and T Dilip, India won the T20 World Cup in 2024. They finished as runners-up in the 2023 ICC World Cup hosted by India and the 2023 ICC World Test Championship hosted by England. They were semi-finalists in the 2022 T20 World Cup and also drew in the Test series in South Africa.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rahul Dravid and his support team for their exemplary career with the team – Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir spoke about his appointment as the head coach of Team India. He said that it was an honour for him to serve the Indian team and congratulated Rahul Dravid and the support staff for their stewardship. He stated:
“It is a great honour to serve my tricolour, my people, my country. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rahul Dravid and his support team for their exemplary performance with the team. I am honoured and excited to take up the role of the head coach of Team India.”
