On July 9th last year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. His contract with the board is valid until December 2027. Under his leadership, the team has seen both successes and failures.
However, India’s victory in the recently concluded Champions Trophy has somewhat overshadowed his previous setbacks. Achieving a global title in just eight months after taking over as coach is no small feat!
The 43-year-old Gambhir, who has won both the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup as a player, now adds a Champions Trophy to his achievements as a coach.
It’s rare for someone to have won global titles in both playing and coaching roles. Following India’s success, there has been renewed interest in Gambhir, particularly regarding his salary and the perks he receives from the BCCI.
According to India’s business news website, Ascendants, Gambhir’s estimated annual salary exceeds ₹14 crore, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the world. Before Gambhir, Rahul Dravid served as the head coach and earned ₹12 crore annually.
In addition to his hefty salary, Gambhir also receives a daily allowance of ₹21,000 during foreign tours. The BCCI also covers business class air tickets, luxury hotel accommodations, and laundry expenses. Other logistical benefits are also provided.
These perks are part of the BCCI’s strategy to attract and retain top-tier coaching talent. The board believes that offering such benefits ensures that Gambhir and his support staff focus solely on improving team performance.
Multiple sources informed Ascendants that the BCCI’s contract with Gambhir includes performance-based bonuses. These bonuses are linked to India’s success in major tournaments like the 2025 Champions Trophy, the 2026 T20 World Cup, and the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The contract stipulates that Gambhir will receive a substantial bonus if India wins any of these tournaments. Following India’s Champions Trophy win, the BCCI may soon announce bonuses for Gambhir and his support staff.
Cricket analysts have praised Gambhir’s strategic acumen, particularly his ability to develop young talent and maintain composure in high-pressure situations. One notable example of his strategic brilliance was his decision to include mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy in the final squad for the Champions Trophy, a decision that proved to be a game-changer as Chakravarthy played a crucial role in India’s title win.
With the IPL keeping India’s players busy for the next two months, Gambhir’s next major assignment will be the England tour. Between June and August, the Indian team will play five Test matches there, and the ‘A’ team will also tour England before that.
According to a report by the Times of India, Gambhir will accompany the ‘A’ team to England in an effort to build a strong reserve bench for the national team—a move never before seen in Indian coaching history.
