All eyes on Gambhir’s supporting cast

New Delhi, July 10

The financial nitty-gritties of Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as India’s head coach are yet to be worked out but that’s the “last of his concerns” right now as he is focussed on getting a support staff of choice to prepare for the enormous challenges that await him during the three-year stint.

On Tuesday, BCCI secretary Jay Shah officially announced Gambhir’s appointment, which was on cards for a long time. However, it is learnt that his salary is yet to be finalised although it is expected to be in the same bracket as that of his predecessors Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri.

“For Gautam, it was important that he took charge and salary and other stuff can be worked out as it’s not going anywhere. It is similar to the case of Ravi Shastri in 2014 when he was first made Director of Cricket over head coach Duncan Fletcher,” a BCCI source said. “The salary will be in the same range of Rahul Dravid,” he added. — PTI

Dravid forgoes bonus amount

New Delhi: Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has refused to take the additional bonus amount of Rs 2.5 crore offered to him by the BCCI following the recent T20 World Cup triumph in the Americas. Dravid was offered the bonus amount following the national team’s success but he was happy to settle for the due amount — Rs 2.5 crore — similar to other coaching staff.