Gautam Gambhir Targeted By 4 IPL Teams For Coach's Role, Discussion Held With One: Report

Gautam Gambhir being targeted by 4 IPL franchises for coach's role© BCCI/Creimas

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir's term with the national side currently runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup, but several Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises are reportedly already attempting to court him. Reports suggest that four IPL franchises have held internal discussions regarding bringing Gambhir back in a mentorship role. Gambhir is currently in New Zealand with the national team, where India holds an unassailable 3-0 lead in an ongoing five-match T20I series. While his contract with the Indian team runs until the end of the 2027 World Cup, an extension through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has not been ruled out.

Before succeeding Rahul Dravid as India's head coach following Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) IPL victory in 2024, Gambhir served as a mentor for both Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and KKR. It was with these two franchises that Gambhir built his reputation as a master tactician who orchestrates matches effectively from behind the scenes.

According to a report in Dainik Jagran, four franchises are keen to secure his services ahead of the IPL 2028 season. Should the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offer him a contract extension, franchises may have to delay their plans. The report indicates that alongside his former franchise KKR, representatives from Gambhir's camp recently engaged in preliminary discussions with Rajasthan Royals.

Additionally, two additional franchises have expressed interest in recruiting him as a coach or mentor for 2028. According to the publication, one franchise ranks among the IPL's most successful teams, while the other has yet to open its title account.

While Gambhir's red-ball credentials continue to draw scrutiny, his acumen in white-ball cricket remains widely respected. Under his stewardship, the Indian team has already secured two ICC titles, an Asia Cup trophy, and an Asian Games gold medal.

In terms of his IPL track record, Gambhir served as Lucknow Super Giants' mentor in 2022 and 2023, steering the newly formed franchise to the playoffs in both of its inaugural seasons. Following his departure from Lucknow, Gambhir rejoined KKR upon a personal invitation from co-owner Shah Rukh Khan. He played a pivotal role as the Knight Riders captured the 2024 IPL title under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, ending a 10-year championship drought.

Following Gambhir's move to take over the Indian national team, KKR experienced a noticeable slump, finishing seventh and eighth in the subsequent two seasons and missing playoff qualification both times. A similar downturn hit Lucknow Super Giants, who finished seventh in both 2024 and 2025 before dropping to tenth in 2026.

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