Gautam Gambhir To Enjoy 'Rare' Power After Virat Kohli Exit. Report Says "He Was Categorical..."

Greg Chappell's fall was spectacular when he tried to impose his authority while Anil Kumble could not deal with alpha male stardom but it seems Gautam Gambhir is on course to become that rare India head coach who will wield more power than the skipper. Indian cricket is replete with examples where powerful managers had to back out in front of player-power. Bishan Singh Bedi, Chappell and Kumble despite being champion players themselves didn't realise that they have to play the second fiddle. John Wright, Gary Kirsten and Ravi Shastri knew that and were immensely successful.

With the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, there aren't many megastars left in the Test team and it gives Gambhir time and space to manoeuvre and move his strategic pieces on the cricketing chess board.

If sources in the BCCI are to be believed, Gambhir had objectives in his bucket-list and the biggest was abolition of star culture in the team.

"The Gautam Gambhir era begins now. He was categorical that during the next WTC cycle, India need to have fresh faces," a BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

"Everyone, associated with decision making knew where Gambhir stood in terms of carrying seniors in the longest format. Obviously his and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar's thoughts aligned," he added.

In Indian cricket, the captain has always been that central figure who would prevail over coaches even they were equally-powerful personalities.

Sourav Ganguly, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit Sharma all had the last say in the national teams that they led.

But not anymore with Gambhir, who is now undoubtedly the most powerful figure with the last word resting with him.

Rahul Dravid-Rohit Sharma