Gambhir Frontrunner for India Coach, Eyes Balaji as Bowling Coach

Before Gautam Gambhir takes over as head coach ahead of the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka, former India fast Lakshmipathy Balaji may become a member of the Team India support staff as a bowling coach.

Rahul Dravid's replacement is most likely to be Gambhir, who last month participated in an interview with Ashok Malhotra's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).

The head coach has always been free to select the support personnel he wants.

Additionally, Gambhir will be free to select the batting, bowling, and fielding coaches of his choosing.

As a mentor, the two-time World Cup champion has also played a significant role in leading Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL championship this year.

The Telegraph was informed by sources that Balaji, who spent three years playing for the Knight Riders under Gambhir's leadership starting in 2011, has already been contacted and has shown interest.

Balaji, 42, assisted Sulakshan Kulkarni, the team's unceremoniously exited Ranji Trophy coach, as the assistant coach for Tamil Nadu during the previous season. Although he was named the state's coach this season, he hasn't yet assumed the role.

As a commentator for the recently finished T20 World Cup, the pacer was recently in the United States. During his tenure with Tamil Nadu last season, he was well-liked among the team not only for his technical prowess but also for his outstanding motivating abilities.

In addition, he participated in 30 ODIs, 5 T20Is, and 8 Test matches.

There has been discussion about Jonty Rhodes taking T. Dilip's position as the fielding coach, and the South African has expressed interest in the position.

Dilip has done a fantastic job raising the team's general fielding standards, even for laggards like Kuldeep Yadav.

Prior to Gambhir's move to KKR for the 2018 season, Rhodes also collaborated with Gambhir during his two years as an IPL player for the Lucknow Super Giants. In addition to working with other IPL teams, Rhodes has reportedly expressed interest in the position.

After the brass returns on Thursday morning from the West Indies, the BCCI is anticipated to finalize the coaching staff the following week. The World Cup campaign of India, which concluded with them as winners when they defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final on Saturday, has been the primary cause of the delay in announcing Dravid's replacement.

The batting coach position is still up in the air, though, as current Vikram Rathour is expected to take over as head of the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru after VVS Laxman's term ends in November.

Laxman is currently on a five-T20I tour of Zimbabwe with the national team.

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