After months of specualtion, Gautam Gambhir‘s appointment as head coach of the Indian team was made official earlier this month by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid at the helm, is already in Sri Lanka with the Indian team for the upcoming white-ball tour. Gambhir was one of the two candidates interviewed for the role by BCCI’s COC, following his successful stint as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The likes of Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Mahela Jayawardene, and Stephen Fleming, were also reportedly in the race.

However, the BCCI’s priority was always an Indian. While Gambhir’s appointment was made official on July 9, after Rahul Dravid’s contract came to an end, former India pacer Ashish Nehra was also floating in the media.

During a recent interaction, Nehra has opened up about why he didn’t apply. The 45-year-old insisted that his children are young, and he was not in the mood to travel for nine months.

“Meri abhi kabhi us tareh soch nahi gayi hai. My kids are young. GG ke bacche bhi abhi young hai par sabki soch alag alag hoti hai, toh I am very happy where I am. I am not in the mood to travel for nine months (I never thought about it. My children are still young. Gautam Gambhir also has young children, but everyone has different ideas. That’s why I am happy where I am. I am not in the mood to travel for nine months),” Nehra told Sports Today.

Meanwhile, Gambhir also confirmed the names of two assistant coaches that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approved. 

Though the complete list of coaches will be confirmed only after the Sri Lanka tour, Gambhir is happy to see the board agreeing to most of his demands as the head coach of the Indian team. 

During a media briefing, Gambhir revealed that his former Kolkata Knight Riders mates, Ryan Ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar have joined him as assistant coaches.

“This is going to be the crux of the support staff. As I said, we still have one month after the Sri Lanka tour. We will try and finalise after the Sri Lanka tour. But, I have worked with people like Abhishek Nayar, Ryan Ten Doeschate very closely. In the last two months, especially in the IPL, I have enjoyed working with them. They are thorough professionals. Hope Ryan and Abhishek can have a successful stint.

“Hopefully, we can have a successful tenure as coaches. I am really looking forward to work with the rest of the other guys as well. I have had some really good feedback from the players about the other guys. I am really looking forward to working with them. My experience and learning have been been very simple,” Gambhir said.

Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar in press conference© X (Twitter)

New India head coach Gautam Gambhir has firmly denied reports and rumours that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rejected his requests for coaching staff personnel. Instead, Gambhir expressed that his requests to the BCCI were largely accepted. Gambhir also announced the names of two people who are set to join his support staff – Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate. Gambhir’s first series as India head coach begins on Saturday, July 27, as India tours Sri Lanka for 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs.

Appearing at a press conference for the first time since being appointed as Team India head coach, Gambhir refuted claims that the BCCI had not agreed to his requests.

“Really happy with the BCCI. They have agreed to most of the things I’ve asked for. I was surprised to read all those news (about BCCI rejecting his demands),” said Gambhir in the press-conference.

“The crux of the support staff will remain the same,” he confirmed. Gambhir stated that T Dilip, the fielding coach during Rahul Dravid‘s tenure, will continue in his role.

“Abhishek Nayar as assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate as assistant coach,” confirmed Gambhir. “I feel there could be assistant coaches working and focusing on all three departments rather than one specific department. That’s the reason we now have two assistant coaches. That’s the way we will go forward as well,” added Gambhir.

Nayar and ten Doeschate are two men Gambhir worked in close quarters with during IPL 2024, as Kolkata Knight Riders won a third IPL title. Nayar was the assistant coach of KKR, while ten Doeschate was their fielding coach.

Gambhir confirmed that Nayar, T Dilip and former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule are travelling with the India squad to Sri Lanka, while ten Doeschate will join the team directly in Colombo.

Gambhir stated that the entire support staff will be finalised after the Sri Lanka tour.

“We still have one month after the Sri Lanka tour, and we can finalise after the tour. Importantly, I’ve worked with Ryan and Abhishek closely during the IPL. I enjoyed working with them, they are thorough professionals, and there can’t be a bigger and better opportunity now,” said Gambhir.

South African pacer Morne Morkel has been reported to be requested by Gambhir to also join the coaching staff.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are all set to appoint Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate as assistant coaches of the Indian cricket team, according to a report by Cricbuzz. While no official statement has been issued by the team management, the report claims that both Nayar and Ten Doeschate will join new head coach Gautam Gambhir for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka. Nayar was the assistant coach for Kolkata Knight Riders while the former Dutch international also served as KKR’s fielding coach when Gambhir served as mentor. T Dilip, who served as fielding coach under Rahul Dravid, is reportedly going to be retained in the new support staff as well.

However, questions still remain over the appointment of the bowling coach but former South Africa cricket team fast bowler Morne Morkel is being considered a strong candidate for the position.

Morkel has also worked with Gambhir as part of the Kolkata Knight Riders team. Morkel played for the franchise between 2014 and 2016 under Gambhir’s captaincy and even won the title in 2014.

Gautam Gambhir wants Ryan ten Doeschate in Team India’s coaching staff.© BCCI