Former fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipathy Balaji are in the fray to become part of Team India’s new head coach Gautam Gambhir‘s coaching staff, as reported by ANI.
Zaheer and Balaji are likely to contest for the post of bowling coach, replacing Paras Mhambrey who has reportedly also completed his tenure.”BCCI discussing the names of Zaheer Khan and Lakshmipathy Balaji for the position of bowling coach. BCCI is not interested in the name of Vinay Kumar,” sources told ANI.
Zaheer, one of the greatest left-arm pacers India has produced, has an impressive record of 311 Test wickets in 92 matches and a total of 610 scalps in 309 international matches across all formats for the Indian team.

In comparison, Balaji has represented India in eight Test matches, taking 27 wickets at an average of 37.18. In addition, he has claimed 34 wickets in 30 ODIs.
The appointment of new support staff for the Indian team comes after Gambhir was named the head coach by the BCCI on Tuesday.

Gambhir, a former India opener and winner of both T20 and ODI World Cups, also served as the team mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League 2024. Under his guidance, KKR secured their third IPL trophy this season. He was captain of the KKR team that won the IPL in 2012 and 2014.
Dravid’s stint as India’s head coach ended after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup last month, where India emerged champions, beating South Africa by seven runs in the final at Barbados.