Former India quick Lakshmipathy Balaji could join the Team India support staff as bowling coach once Gautam Gambhir takes over as head coach ahead of the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka.

Gambhir, who appeared before the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) led by Ashok Malhotra for an interview last month, is the favourite to replace Rahul Dravid.

The BCCI has always left it to the head coach to choose his preferred support staff.

Gambhir will also be given the liberty to pick the batting, bowling and fielding coaches as per his choice.

The two-time World Cup winner has been instrumental in guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title this season as a mentor as well.

Sources told The Telegraph that Balaji — who played under Gambhir’s captaincy at the Knight Riders for three years from 2011 — has already been sounded out and he has expressed interest.

Balaji, 42, served as the assistant coach of Tamil Nadu last season under Sulakshan Kulkarni, who resigned after the team’s unceremonious exit from the Ranji Trophy. He has been appointed coach of the state this season but has not taken up the responsibility so far.

The pacer was in the US recently as a commentator for the just-concluded T20 World Cup. He has gained much popularity in the Tamil Nadu dressing room during his stint last season not just for his tactical acumen but also excelled in his role as a motivator.

He played eight Test matches besides 30 ODIs and five T20Is.

There has been talk that Jonty Rhodes could replace T. Dilip as the fielding coach and the South African’s interest has been sounded out.

Dilip has worked wonders in improving the overall fielding standards of the team, including laggards like Kuldeep Yadav.

Rhodes too has worked with Gambhir for the IPL franchise Lucknow Super Giants for two years before Gambhir joined KKR last season. Having worked with the South Africa national side besides many IPL franchises, Rhodes has reportedly shown interest in the job.

The BCCI is expected to finalise the coaching staff next week after the brass returns from West Indies on Thursday morning. The delay in naming Dravid’s successor has been mainly because of India’s campaign in the World Cup where they finished champions after defeating South Africa by seven runs in the final on Saturday.

There is, however, no clarity on who could be the batting coach with incumbent Vikram Rathour likely to take charge of the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru once VVS Laxman’s term gets over in November.

Laxman is currently touring Zimbabwe with the national team for the five T20Is.