Ashish Nehra Explains Why He Didn’t Pursue India Coach Role

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially announced Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team earlier this month. Gambhir’s appointment followed the conclusion of Rahul Dravid’s tenure and came after a series of interviews conducted by BCCI’s Committee of Cricket Operations (COC). Known for his successful mentorship with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gambhir was chosen over other notable candidates like Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Mahela Jayawardene, and Stephen Fleming.

Nehra Opts Out Due to Family Commitments

While Gambhir’s appointment was confirmed on July 9, former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra was also considered a potential candidate by the media. In a recent interview, Nehra clarified why he chose not to apply for the head coach position. He cited his desire to stay close to his young children and avoid extensive travel.

“I never considered it. My children are still young. Gautam Gambhir also has young children, but everyone has different perspectives. I’m very happy with where I am and not in the mood to travel for nine months,” Nehra told Media Today.

Gambhir’s Coaching Team

Gambhir has already begun his role, joining the Indian team in Sri Lanka for an upcoming white-ball tour. He has announced that his former KKR colleagues, Ryan Ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar, have been approved by the BCCI as assistant coaches.

“This will be the core of our support staff. We still have a month after the Sri Lanka tour to finalize the rest of the team. Working with professionals like Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate has been a pleasure, especially during the IPL. They bring a lot of expertise, and I am hopeful for a successful tenure,” Gambhir stated during a media briefing.

Looking Forward

Gambhir expressed his excitement about the future and the feedback he has received from players about the new coaching team. “I am really looking forward to working with the rest of the staff. My experiences and learnings have been straightforward, and I believe we can achieve great things together,” he added.