Will Sourav Ganguly Replace Gautam Gambhir? How The ‘Bengal Tiger’ Could Return As Team India’s Head Coach News24 –
When Sourav Ganguly was named the new head coach of the Pretoria Capitals, it wasn’t just another chapter in his already illustrious cricketing journey. It felt like the start of something bigger – a subtle but powerful hint that the “Prince of Kolkata” might one day take charge of the Indian cricket team as head coach.
From legendary player to iconic captain, broadcaster, CAB president, Delhi Capitals director, and former BCCI president, Ganguly’s cricket résumé is unmatched. Now, with coaching officially added to his portfolio, the road to the most coveted coaching role in world cricket seems inevitable.
Why Ganguly Makes the Perfect Candidate
Ganguly has always been more than a captain; he was a builder of teams and a nurturer of talent. Under his leadership, Indian cricket unearthed a golden generation – Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Zaheer Khan all rose to prominence during his reign. His fearlessness and ability to back young talent transformed India into a formidable side across formats.
Post-retirement, Ganguly has remained influential – guiding Delhi Capitals’ young players, serving as BCCI president, and shaping policy decisions with authority. Even after the Kohli-BCCI controversy in 2021, his stature within Indian cricket remains unshaken.
Learning from the Paths of Shastri, Dravid & Gambhir
Coaching India is no easy job. Ravi Shastri left visibly drained after his high-intensity tenure, while Rahul Dravid stepped down to spend more time with his family. Gautam Gambhir, who took over last year, has had a mixed run – leading India to a Champions Trophy win but also facing criticism for overseeing the retirement of stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin from Test cricket.
Yet, Gambhir has shown promise securing a hard-fought 2–2 series draw in England and continuing his reputation for grooming young squads. Still, his journey is in its early stages, and with his contract running until 2027, change may not be immediate.
The Inevitable Question – When, Not If
The BCCI is unlikely to shake things up unless results dramatically dip or player-coach relationships sour. But cricket, like life, is unpredictable. If a change is ever needed, Ganguly would be the natural successor.
At 53, having overcome serious health scares, Ganguly looks revitalized, hungry, and ready to give back to cricket in a bigger way. His measured responses “we’ll see when the time comes” – mirror the path Dravid once took before becoming head coach. Starting with Pretoria Capitals may well be his testing ground for something far grander.
A Future Waiting to Unfold
Indian cricket thrives on stability, but history tells us that the greats often find their way back to the helm. Ganguly has already roared as a captain, administrator, and mentor. Now, with coaching on his radar, the possibility of him leading Team India from the dressing room feels closer than ever.
Whether Gambhir completes his tenure or not, one thing is clear – Indian cricket will always have its Royal Bengal Tiger ready to pounce when the time is right.