New Delhi: Former India opener Gautam Gambhir has reportedly received a significant proposal from Rajasthan Royals to take on a combined role as chief executive officer, mentor and partner. The offer is understood to include a minority equity stake of around two to three percent as the franchise undergoes a change in ownership structure involving new stakeholders.
Gambhir is currently serving as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, a position he assumed after a successful mentoring career in the Indian Premier League. His association with the IPL has been marked by notable achievements. He led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles as captain and later contributed to another championship in a mentoring capacity. He also played a key role with Lucknow Super Giants, guiding them to consecutive playoff appearances during his tenure as mentor.
Despite the attractiveness of the Royals’ proposal, regulations make any immediate move improbable. Under conflict of interest guidelines established following Supreme Court directives and the Lodha Committee recommendations, an individual cannot simultaneously hold a position with the Indian national team and maintain an operational or ownership role with an IPL franchise. Accepting the Royals’ offer would require Gambhir to step down from his current role with the national side.
Gambhir’s contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup, and he is understood to be fully committed to his responsibilities. He is currently overseeing India’s campaign at the 2026 T20 World Cup, where the team has already progressed to the Super 8 stage.
With long term assignments ahead, including preparations for upcoming global tournaments, any shift to franchise cricket leadership appears unlikely in the near future.
