"There are plenty of people who are on the wrong side of 30" - Aakash Chopra on Gautam Gambhir needing to manage transition as India's potential coach
Aakash Chopra has noted that Gautam Gambhir, India's potential next head coach, will have the tough task of managing a transition. He pointed out that the Men in Blue have a plethora of players who are nearing the end of their careers.
The Indian team under Rohit Sharma as skipper and Rahul Dravid as head coach have reached the Super Eights of the 2024 T20 World Cup. They will have a new head coach after the tournament, with Dravid deciding not to apply for the role.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra observed that Gambhir, the frontrunner to be the next head coach, has an arduous task ahead.
"Gautam Gambhir has given the interview. It's been said that it was a virtual interview as opposed to WV Raman, who gave a fantastic presentation. I have just read that. Gautam Gambhir is the frontrunner in this race. It's been said everywhere and we have also understood that," he said (3:40).
"I am saying it will be an interesting tenure because you will have to manage the transition here, and that is never an easy thing. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, maybe Ravindra Jadeja, especially their roles in T20s, there are plenty of people who are on the wrong side of 30, 35 to 37, including Ravichandran Ashwin," Chopra added.
It remains to be seen whether Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja continue to play T20Is after the ongoing T20 World Cup. The trio could opt to concentrate on the other two formats to prolong their careers.
"A very important roadmap will have to be prepared" - Aakash Chopra on Gautam Gambhir's role
![Gautam Gambhir mentored the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/06/26851-17187690745959-1920.jpg?w=500)
Aakash Chopra noted that Gautam Gambhir will have to prepare a roadmap for India for multiple global events.
"In the next three to four years, when the 2027 World Cup comes, you have to prepare your team for that. There will also be a WTC in 2027 and a T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in 2026. So a very important roadmap will have to be prepared," he said (4:45).
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that his fellow Delhiite will also have to communicate effectively with the retained and released players.
"It's not going to be easy because it's said that transitions are most difficult. A very important job is to not let performances drop when transitions are happening. Secondly, transitions happen properly when you communicate well because you need to explain the reasons to players who are being retained and let go of," Chopra stated.
While opining that Gambhir will be the head coach, Chopra sees interesting times ahead for the Indian team. He added that Indian cricket is heading for a complete overhaul as the new head coach will also handpick the other support staff members.