Former India coach and noted commentator Ravi Shastri believes Gautam Gambhir can make an immediate impact in his new role as head coach because he’s a “contemporary” mentor and already close to the team.
“Why Surya was made the captain, because he is one of the deserving candidates. He’s been around the group over the last year, we get feedback from the dressing room a lot. (He has a) good cricket brain, and (is) one of the best T20 batters in the world,” Agarkar said.
The T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team landed in Delhi on Thursday morning after winning the World Cup title in Barbados.
Gambhir, when asked about his chances of succeeding Dravid for the top post, chose to remain noncommittal, adding to the mystery surrounding the potential coaching change.
Former England captain Eoin Morgan has backed India as the favourites to win the T20 World Cup but expressed his disagreement with the Indian selectors’ decision to relegate Shubman Gill as a travelling reserve for the marquee tournament in the US and the West Indies, starting June 1.
Team India thrashed Australia 2-1 to clinch their maiden bilateral ODI series Down Under.
Shastri went on to say that Dhoni was "a once in 40 years player" and it was going to be very difficult to replace him once he bid adieu to the game.
Both Rahul and Pandya are currently suspended by BCCI for their remark on women.
In the third ODI against Australia, Dhoni was dropped twice at the score of 0 and 74 and Langer said that cost his side the match.
Dhoni had been earlier heavily criticised by fans for his slow batting in the Sydney match.
