Gautam Gambhir to Become Team India Head Coach, Breaking the Trend Followed by Dravid and Shastri

Gautam Gambhir to Travel with India ‘A’ Team for England Tour

Once the ICC Champions Trophy wraps up, most Team India players will head straight to their Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. But head coach Gautam Gambhir has other plans. Instead of waiting for the senior squad’s England tour in June, he wants to hit the ground running by traveling with the India ‘A’ team.

According to a report from NewsCircuit, this move will make Gambhir the first-ever Indian head coach to accompany the ‘A’ team on an overseas tour.

Breaking Tradition

Usually, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) assigns National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches to handle India ‘A’ and U19 teams. In recent years, cricketing greats like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have taken up these roles before moving on to bigger responsibilities.

When Dravid became Team India’s head coach, Laxman and other NCA coaches stepped in to guide the younger squads. But Gambhir wants to do things differently. Unlike Dravid and Ravi Shastri—who never traveled with the ‘A’ team while leading the senior side—Gambhir has already informed the BCCI about his plans.

This shift signals a more hands-on approach, something that could bring long-term benefits to India’s cricket setup.

A Focus on Red-Ball Cricket

India’s recent Test tour of Australia didn’t go as planned. Since then, Gambhir has been keen on rebuilding the red-ball setup.

“He has been in regular touch with the BCCI since returning,” a board source told NewsCircuit. “He wants to personally assess the bench strength by traveling with the India ‘A’ team.”

During the Champions Trophy, Gambhir backed a few wildcard picks, and that strategy paid off. With his growing influence, his efforts to strengthen India’s talent pipeline could shape the team’s future.

More India ‘A’ Tours on the Radar?

Gambhir has also raised concerns about the lack of India ‘A’ tours. Since Dravid left the NCA, only a handful of ‘A’ series have taken place, mostly as warm-ups before major tournaments.

“He believes India needs more ‘A’ team matches,” the source added. “That’s why he wants to get involved directly and see where things stand.”

Final Thoughts

Gautam Gambhir’s decision to join the India ‘A’ squad for the England tour highlights his proactive approach. By closely tracking emerging players, he aims to build a strong red-ball bench and push for a more structured development pathway.

With Gambhir at the helm, India’s ‘A’ team could see more overseas exposure, ultimately benefiting the senior side.

For more updates on the India ‘A’ tour, check the BCCI’s official website or follow ESPNcricinfo.