The Indian cricket team will have a new head coach by the end of July with two names shortlisted for the top job, reveals BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Last month, the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) interviewed candidates for the role with the likes of Gautam Gambhir, WV Raman in the running.

Rahul Dravid’s tenure ended with India’s title winning run at the recent 2024 T20 World Cup but the new coach will only take charge when India travel to Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series later this month.

Also Read: Team India Stuck in Barbados

Prior to that, an Indian squad, led by Shubman Gill, is set to square-of with Zimbabwe in a five-match T20I bilateral series starting later this week. However, foe the Zimbabwe tour, VVS Laxman, the current director of the National Cricket Academy, will be in charge.

“Both coach and selector appointment will be made shortly,” Shah was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. “CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe but new coach will join from Sri Lanka series.”

Dravid signed off on a high, guiding Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma to the title as they beat South Africa in pulsating finale in Barbados. It wasn’t just the end of Dravid’s tenure but also for Rohit, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja with the trio announcing they have played their last T20I for India.

Several high-profile names were said to be in running to succeed Dravid including Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming, Ricky Ponting. However, in all likeliness, two-time world cup winner Gambhir will be named as the new head coach.

Gambhir’s stock rose thanks to a successful stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during IPL 2024 where he was the mentor of the franchise as it won the title in a dominant fashion.