NEW DELHI: Former opening batter Gautam Gambhir has been confirmed as the new head coach of the India men’s cricket team, preceding Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after overseeing the team’s perfect T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.
The announcement was made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Honorary Secretary Jay Shah on X, formerly Twitter.
“It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr [Gautam Gambhir] as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team,” wrote Shah.
“Modern-day cricket has evolved rapidly, and Gautam has witnessed this changing landscape up close. Having endured the grind and excelled in various roles throughout his career, I am confident that Gautam is the ideal person to steer Indian Cricket forward.
“His clear vision for [Team India], coupled with his vast experience, positions him perfectly to take on this exciting and most sought-after coaching role. The [BCCI] fully supports him as he embarks on this new journey,” Shah concluded.
For the unversed, Gambhir recently served as the Kolkata Knight Riders’ mentor in the recent edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
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Prior to that, Gambhir had mentored Lucknow Super Giants during IPL 2022 and 2023 and helped them reach the playoffs in both editions.
Gautam Gambhir played a pivotal role in India’s success in the 2007 World T20 and ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2011, top-scoring in the finals of both tournaments.
Earlier in June, Gambhir acknowledged that he wanted to serve as the India head coach at a private event in Abu Dhabi.
“Look, I would love to coach the Indian team,” Gambhir said. “There is no bigger honour. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians. And more across the globe as well. And when you represent India, how can it get bigger than that?
“How can I help India win the World Cup – I think it’s not me that will help India win the World Cup, it is 140 crore Indians that will help India win the World Cup. If everyone starts praying for us, and we start playing and representing them, India will win the World Cup. The most important thing is to be fearless and yes, I would love to coach India.”