'I'm open to it': Sourav Ganguly expresses desire to coach Team India in the future

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has said that he is open to coaching the Indian team in the future. He also shared his views about the current head coach Gautam Gambhir. read more
Former India captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has said that he is open to coaching the Indian cricket team someday. Speaking in a recent interview, Ganguly suggested that while there is nothing confirmed yet, he is not ruling out the possibility of coaching Team India.
'We'll see what the future holds. I'm just 50 (53), so let's see what happens. I'm open to it. We'll see where it goes,' Ganguly told PTI.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Ganguly served as BCCI president from 2019 to 2022, a period during which Indian cricket went through a challenging phase, including Virat Kohli stepping down from captaincy across all formats and other major developments. Prior to this, he was the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). He is currently the chairman of the ICC's Cricket Committee.
Ganguly lauds current coach Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir is the current head coach of Team India. He took over from Rahul Dravid last year. Ganguly believes that Gambhir is doing a good job. He said Gambhir had a slow start, with losses against Australia and New Zealand, but things improved after India's Champions Trophy win.
'Gautam (Gambhir) is doing a good job. He started off a little slow, losing to Australia and New Zealand, but he picked up with the Champions Trophy. This is going to be a big series (vs England),' Ganguly said.
When asked about Gambhir's tactics as a coach, Ganguly said that while he hasn't seen him up close in the role, he knows Gambhir is very passionate and clear about his views. Ganguly also recalled his playing days and how Gambhir always showed respect to his senior players.
'I haven't seen him from very close in this role, but I know he is very passionate. I haven't observed his strategies closely because I haven't worked with him as a coach. He's very straightforward, he sees things clearly, and he's very open about what he feels, about the team, players, people, everything. From the outside, you can tell he's a very transparent person - what you see is what you get.' Ganguly said.
'I've played with him. He was a great guy with a lot of respect for me and the senior players. Even now, I can see he is extremely passionate about his job. I wish him all the best. He's just a year into the job, and this will be an important (England) tour. He struggled a bit in Australia, but just like everyone else, he'll learn, he'll grow, and he'll become better,' Ganguly added.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

23 minutes ago

• Time of India

IND vs ENG: 'No time to cry'- Jasprit Bumrah's brutal response to India's six dropped catches

Jasprit Bumrah (Photo by) Jasprit Bumrah once again stood tall for India in the first Test against England at Leeds by grabbing a remarkable five-wicket haul despite a handful of dropped chances off his bowling. Bumrah finished with figures of 5 for 83 in 24.4 overs, showcasing his consistency even as fielding errors cost him potential extra wickets. During the post-match press conference, Bumrah addressed the missed opportunities, saying he chooses not to dwell on them during a game. 'It is disappointing for a moment, but you cannot sit and cry about it. You have to move on quickly. I try not to overthink it and let it go. Many of these guys are new to this level and the conditions make it tough to spot the ball sometimes. No one drops catches on purpose and they will improve. I do not want to create unnecessary pressure by reacting badly or showing anger,' Bumrah explained. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Despite three crucial dropped catches by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Bumrah's persistence earned him his tenth five-wicket haul in SENA countries, making him the first Indian to reach this milestone. He now sits just behind Pakistan's Wasim Akram, who has 11 such hauls in these challenging overseas venues. Bumrah has also equalled Kapil Dev's record of 12 five-wicket hauls in away Tests overall. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo India's Day 3 Test Review: Cloudy skies ahead | Weather twist at Headingley When asked about his decision not to take up the Indian Test captaincy, Bumrah revealed that managing his fitness was his top priority. 'It was not a big issue about captaincy. I wanted to focus on my body and spoke to my medical team. I do not want to let the team down by missing matches as a captain. There needs to be continuity in leadership and I felt it was better for me to contribute just as a player whenever I am fit. Nothing matters more than Indian cricket and winning games,' Bumrah shared. Bumrah also spoke about the Headingley pitch and England's batting, saying the surface remains good for batting with only slight variable pace and expected swing. He believes India must build a big second-innings total to create a safety cushion for the bowlers. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? Commenting on Harry Brook 's dismissal for 99 in England's first innings, Bumrah praised the English batter's approach. 'It was just fate that he got out on 99. He is a smart player. He understands conditions well and keeps the bowler guessing. He can switch from aggressive to defensive play effectively. Next time, we will try to counter him better,' he said. At the end of a rain-affected Day 3, India held a slender advantage with a lead of 96 runs. The visitors finished at 90 for 2 with KL Rahul unbeaten on 47 and captain Shubman Gill at the crease on six. With the match finely balanced, both teams will look to seize the initiative as the Test heads into its final stages at Headingley. Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here

First Post

33 minutes ago

• First Post

Explained: Will ICC punish Rishabh Pant for angry confrontation with umpire?

Rishabh Pant faces the danger of being punished by the ICC for his angry confrontation with umpire Paul Reiffel during the Headingley Test. Here's an explainer on under which articles he can be punished. read more Rishabh Pant could face action from ICC after his confrontation with umpire Paul Reiffel. Image: Willow TV Indian wicket-keeper and vice-captain Rishabh Pant faces the threat of disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he was involved in a heated altercation with umpire Paul Reiffel during Day 3 of the first Test against England at Headingley. Pant was insisting on the change of the ball in the 63rd over of England's innings as he felt the red cherry had lost its shape; however, after using the standard gauge test, Reiffel decided to continue with the same ball. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This did not go down well with Pant, who threw away the ball in anger to express his disappointment. Former India coach Ravi Shastri, who was commenting at the moment, explained the reasons behind Pant's frustration. 'When you start wanting to change the ball every now and then, it's a clear indication that nothing's happening. We want something to happen. And that was frustration from Pant,' Shastri said on air. Former England opener Mark Butcher, however, wasn't happy with Pant's behaviour. 'I'm not sure there was any need for that. (We) know that he's a showman and part of that is probably in order to get a reaction from the crowd, but I'm not sure Paul Reiffel appreciated it very much,' Butcher said. Will ICC take action against Rishabh Pant for confrontation with umpire? ICC match referee Richie Richardson could take action against Pant as the Indian has most likely violated two specific articles of the Code of Conduct. Article 2.8 under the ICC Code of Conduct refers to dissent against an umpiring decision. It can be classified as either a Level 1 or Level 2 offense under clause (a) for showing excessive disappointment and clause (h) for engaging in prolonged discussion about the decision. He can also be penalised under Article 2.9, which prohibits 'throwing the ball at a player, umpire or another person in an inappropriate and dangerous manner.' Any offense under this article can also carry a potential Level 1 and Level 2 sanction. So far, the match referee has not taken any action, but it's quite possible that the sanctions will be announced at the end of the ongoing game.

India.com

40 minutes ago

• India.com

Sai Sudharsan's Eye-Tracking Visualisation Goes Viral During Test Debut

In a match where India's top order was under the scanner during the first Test against England at Headingley, it was not a boundary or a breakthrough innings that had fans talking—it was a quiet, behind-the-scenes moment involving Sai Sudharsan and a cricket ball. The video, shared by Sony Sports Network, shows the 23-year-old India batter in full gear, helmet on, intensely focused on a single red ball held at eye level. He tracks the ball with his eyes, moves it side to side deliberately, and then lets it drop. All this while making detailed notes in a notebook, as if scripting the innings he wants to play. It's an image that's now gone viral—and for good reason. — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 22, 2025 One of the most impactful reactions came from Commonwealth Games medallist Tejaswin Shankar, who tweeted: 'If you can't see it, you can't achieve it! Beautiful behind-the-scenes visuals and takeaway for all aspiring athletes!' The scene resonated across social media, earning admiration not just from cricket fans but also from sports psychologists, coaches, and athletes. At a time when elite sport increasingly values mental conditioning, Sudharsan's visualisation technique offered a real-time glimpse into how top-level preparation has evolved beyond nets and drills. A Method in the Madness: The Science Behind the Stare Sai Sudharsan is no stranger to using mental tools to sharpen his game. Speaking during the 2025 IPL season, where he claimed the Orange Cap with 759 runs, he said: 'I feel visualisation is the most important part of my preparation. I try to see what the bowler might do and plan how to counter it—even before stepping on the field.' Eye-tracking visualisation is a method increasingly seen in elite sport. By rehearsing scenarios mentally and mimicking ball-tracking behavior, players can build sharper reflexes and reduce cognitive load under pressure. For a Test debutant, this kind of preparation can be the difference between panic and poise. Headingley Debut: Mixed Results, But Mindset Wins Sudharsan's highly anticipated debut for India—on the same date legends like Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly debuted—ended with a harsh reality check. He was dismissed for a four-ball duck in the first innings by Ben Stokes after a nervy start. His second innings saw some fightback, with a 48-ball 30 that hinted at his potential. Yet, in an ironic twist, it wasn't his strokeplay or dismissal that became the headline—it was his eyes. And the discipline behind them. Why This Viral Clip Matters for Indian Cricket's Future At a time when the Indian team is undergoing a generational shift, with an eye on mental toughness and data-driven decision-making, Sudharsan's approach represents a new breed of cricketer. One who doesn't just rely on talent, but prepares for moments before they arrive. His visualisation video is now being dissected in coaching circles and hailed as an example of elite-level preparation. For young cricketers looking for a blueprint, this wasn't just a clip—it was a masterclass.