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Gautam Gambhir confirmed as India's next head coach

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Last updated on 09 Jul 2024 | 02:48 PM
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Gautam Gambhir confirmed as India's next head coach

Gautam Gambhir will succeed Rahul Dravid in the role with whom he played 45 Tests

Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), confirmed Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of India’s men’s cricket team. Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer, will succeed Rahul Dravid in the role who finished his three-year-long tenure with the T20 World Cup trophy. 

Gambhir was long anticipated to step into Dravid’s shoes, especially since he mentored Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to the title in the Indian Premier League 2024. “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,” wrote Shah on the social media platform X. 

Gambhir will now join hands with Rohit Sharma who will continue to lead the Indian team in ODI and Test cricket. Sharma announced his retirement from T20Is post winning the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA. 

However, his first assignment, a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka later this month, may see a young side with Rohit, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah reported to be rested.

The BCCI had earlier said the new head coach would be appointed in July for a term of three and a half years and would be in charge of the team across all three formats. However, Shah didn’t confirm the details of this development. 

Before returning to KKR as a mentor, Gambhir mentored Lucknow Super Giants for two IPL seasons in 2022 and 2023. These are the only support staff roles Gambhir has held since his last game for India in 2016. Gambhir has twice won IPL as captain for KKR in 2014 and 2016. 

Gambhir played in 58 Tests, 148 ODIs, and 37 T20Is, during which time he won the T20 and ODI World Cups in 2007 and 2011, respectively. The left-hander played a pivotal role in the final of both those events. In red-ball cricket, Gambhir held the number one position in ICC’s Test rankings for batters in 2010. 

Gambhir played 45 Tests with Dravid and also played under his captaincy during his formative years. Gambhir and Rohit were part of India’s T20 World Cup winning squad in 2007 and played 65 ODIs and 30 T20Is together. The 42-year-old was still playing cricket in T20 leagues for retired cricketers, leading the India Capitals to the Legends League Title in 2022. 

India’s second-string team is currently competing in a five-match T20I series against the host nation, Zimbabwe. With Dravid completing his tenure at the end of the T20 World Cup campaign, VVS Laxman has been coaching the side on an interim basis. 

In statements issued by the BCCI, Gambhir has congratulated Dravid for his tenure while accepting the role. 

“It is an absolute honour to serve my tricolour, my people, my country. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rahul Dravid and his team of support staff for their exemplary run with the team. I am honoured and excited to take on the role of head coach for Team India," he said.

"I have always taken pride while donning the Indian jersey during my playing days and it is going to be no different when I take up this new role. Cricket has been my passion and I look forward to working closely with the BCCI, Head of Cricket – Mr VVS Laxman, the support staff, and, most importantly, the players, as we work towards achieving success in the upcoming tournaments.”

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