Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the head coach of the senior India Men's team, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced on Tuesday (July 9). The 42-year-old's first assignment will be the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which includes 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is starting on July 27.
Gambhir succeeds Dravid, who served in the role from November 2021 to June 2024 and stepped down after India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign in the USA and West Indies. During Dravid's tenure, India reached the final of the ICC World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup in 2023, and won the T20 World Cup in 2024.
India have announced former opener Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the men's cricket team. He will take over from Rahul Dravid after a successful ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.
The announcement was made by BCCI secretary Jay Shah on social media.
"It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Gautam Gambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team," Shah posted.
"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."
It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr @GautamGambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. 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… pic.twitter.com/bvXyP47kqJ
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 9, 2024
"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."
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Gautam Gambhir may not have prior coaching experience, but he has served as a mentor for several IPL teams, including the Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the championship this year. As a player, he was part of India's World Cup-winning teams in 2007 and 2011. Over his 12-year international career from 2004 to 2016, Gambhir played in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20Is.
Gambhir, who had a stellar career as India's opener across formats, recently steered Kolkata Knight Riders to a title win as mentor in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Back in his playing days, Gambhir was a star at the top of the order for India. He won the ICC Test Player of the Year for 2009 and was named in the World Test XI that year.
He shared a post on X (Twitter) for his upcoming journey as Indian head coach "India is my identity and serving my country has been the greatest privilege of my life. I’m honoured to be back, albeit wearing a different hat. But my goal is the same as it has always been, to make every Indian proud. The men in blue shoulder the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians and I will do everything in my power to make these dreams come true!" he wrote.
India is my identity and serving my country has been the greatest privilege of my life. I’m honoured to be back, albeit wearing a different hat. But my goal is the same as it has always been, to make every Indian proud. The men in blue shoulder the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians… pic.twitter.com/N5YyyrhXAI
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 9, 2024
BCCI President Roger Binny also congratulated Dravid on a successful tenure and expressed confidence in Gambhir. "The Board would like to thank former Head Coach, Mr Rahul Dravid for his brilliant run with the team. Team India now embarks on a journey under a new coach - Mr Gautam Gambhir. His appointment as Head Coach marks a new chapter for Indian cricket. His experience, dedication, and vision for the game make him the ideal candidate to guide our team forward. We are confident that under his leadership, Team India will continue to excel and make the nation proud," Binny said.
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