According to some reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering appointing a separate T20 coach for the Men in Blue. While former India captain Rahul Dravid was named as full-time coach after Ravi Shastri’s tenure ended last year, things could change in 2023. The Indian cricket board is seriously mulling over having a specific coach for the T20 format to reduce the burden on Dravid. Some reports claim that Hardik Pandya will be officially appointed as the T20 skipper for the series against Sri Lanka. At the same time, the BCCI could also announce the new head coach. While there is no official confirmation of the same, we look at five contenders who can replace Dravid as Team India’s T20 coach
1. MS Dhoni
As per one of the reports that have come out recently, Team India legend MS Dhoni is set to retire from the Indian Premier League after the IPL 2023 edition. The same report also claimed that the BCCI is keen on utilizing MSD’s services as mentor-cum-coach for the national T20 team. Dhoni, it may be recalled, was appointed as Men in Blue’s mentor for the T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE. He is one of the biggest and most respected names in Indian cricket. If he agrees to come on board, we might see Dravid staying on as an all-format coach for a few more months before handing over the T20 reins to Dhoni.
2. Gautam Gambhir
Former India opener and BJP politician Gautam Gambhir could be another candidate who can be given charge of the Indian T20 squad as head coach. Gambhir has a limited amount of experience in the field. However, he was appointed Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor during the IPL 2022 edition. Gambhir was impressive and expressive as LSG reached the playoffs in their debut season in the T20 league. What Gambhir will bring to the table as a coach is a lot of aggression, something Indian cricket desperately needs, and that too in abundance. Could Gauti be the man for Indian cricket?
3. Irfan Pathan
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan could be an interesting choice – a dark horse if one may want to call him so. The ex-cricketer has worked as mentor-cum-coach of the Jammu and Kashmir team in the past. He has won a lot of praise for guiding rookie fast bowler Umran Malik, who has been fast-tracked into international cricket based on his extreme pace. Pathan has played a lot of T20 cricket and understands the nuances of the format inside out. He could be a handy candidate in case India are indeed looking to replace Dravid.
4. Tom Moody
Among international names, former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody instantly comes to mind. Although T20 cricket began many years after Moody quit the sport, he has stayed in sync with the game as a coach. He is one of the most renowned cricket guides going around. Moody had an impressive stint with the Sri Lankan cricket team and is also an experienced IPL coach, having had multiple stints with Sunrisers Hyderabad and mentoring in other T20 franchises.
5. Trevor Bayliss
Arguably one of most successful coaches of recent times, former Australian first-class cricketer Trevor Bayliss oversaw the amazing white-ball transformation of England cricket, culminating with them lifting the 2019 ODI World Cup at home. Bayliss was also in charge of the Sri Lankan side when they reached India’s final of the 2011 World Cup. Further, under his guidance, the Kolkata Knight Riders became IPL champions twice, in 2012 and 2014. He has also coached the Sixers to a BBL title. Bayliss is considered one of the most tactically brilliant coaches going around. He could also be an option India might explore.