Former IPL champions keen on appointing Gautam Gambhir as mentor, CEO, and partner

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals (RR) are reportedly interested in bringing Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir as their new mentor, CEO, and partner. The 2008 champions, who are in the process of acquiring new ownership, recently appointed Riyan Parag as their new captain as they head into a new era.

According to a report by the Dainik Jagran, one of the three soon-to-become owners of the franchise have sent a proposal to Gautam Gambhir regarding the long-term plan. RR recently had an overhaul in terms of their backroom staff, with Rahul Dravid’s return lasting only one season after a disappointing ninth-place finish.

RR re-integrated Kumar Sangakkara back into the setup, while the support staff comprises of Vikram Rathour, Shane Bond, and Trevor Penney.

It is to be noted that Gautam Gambhir will not be allowed to accept the role presented by RR, whilst fulfilling his ongoing tenure with the Indian men’s team. He had signed a contract until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after officially taking over Rahul Dravid as the head coach in 2024.

“According to the Supreme Court decision following the Lodha Committee’s recommendations, no person can be a partner, CEO, and mentor of an IPL franchise while being the Indian coach. This would be considered a conflict of interest,” the report mentions.

While taking over the head coach role of the Indian men’s team, Gautam Gambhir had to leave his role as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Gautam Gambhir aspires to guide Team India to the gold medal in LA Olympics 2028

RR’s proposition to rope Gautam Gambhir goes beyond the remaining duration of his contract with the BCCI, as he is interested in an extension to guide Team India in the historic 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The head coach has a shot at history with the sport set to make a return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900.

The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held in late 2027, while the 2028 LA Olympics will take place in July 2028.

In the past, short-term extensions for head coaches have been witnessed. However, it is contingent on several factors. For instance, Rahul Dravid’s stint had officially come to an end after the 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, but he signed a six-month extension, keeping the 2024 T20 World Cup in mind, and upon then-captain Rohit Sharma’s insistence.