Gautam Gambhir has taken charge of a very successful team that recently won the T20 World Cup in 2024. India not only won the T20 title but also came second in both the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship. As the new head coach of the Indian team, Gambhir openly acknowledged that he is stepping into a team that has already achieved a lot and that he has a significant role to play.
Before the team left for Sri Lanka, Gambhir spoke to the media and made it clear that “Betterment of Indian cricket is important,Gautam Gambhir is not important”.
“I have always said that a happy dressing room is a winning dressing room. That’s my responsibility. For me, I don’t complicate too many things. I am taking over a very, very successful team. T20 World champions, runner-up in World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup. There are issues to fill, but this is a champions’ team,” Gambhir said.
“I have had a fabulous relationship with Jay Shah. All these speculations about different things. We can do a better job clarifying those things. Gautam Gambhir is not important, the betterment of Indian cricket is important. I have really enjoyed working with him, I hope it continues that way,” he added.
Gambhir acknowledged that he has a significant responsibility taking over a position that was once held by well-known figures like Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri.
“The key thing is that they will always support me. My goal is to create a positive and comfortable atmosphere in the dressing room. I’m taking charge of a very successful team, which was a runner-up in both the World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup. I know I have a big role to play and I’m excited about it,” Gambhir mentioned during the press conference.
Gambhir will receive support from his former KKR teammate Abhishek Nayar, who will serve as the assistant coach, and Ryan Ten Doeschate, who will also be part of the coaching staff.
Gambhir was a left-handed batsman who opened the batting for the Indian cricket team and acted as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2024 Indian Premier League. Under Gambhir’s leadership, KKR won their third IPL championship this year.
Rahul Dravid finished his role as the head coach of the Indian cricket team following the end of the 2024 T20 World Cup final. In this final, India defeated South Africa by seven runs, claiming the important trophy after 17 years.
