Former opener Gautam Gambhir has been named the head coach of Team India, as confirmed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Tuesday. Gambhir takes over from Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after leading the team to a victorious T20 World Cup campaign in the United States and the Caribbean islands last month.
Gambhir’s first assignment will be the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, starting on July 27, which includes 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. Dravid’s tenure concluded on a high note, with the team securing the prestigious T20 World Cup title, marking their fourth World Cup win and first major trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Jay Shah made the announcement on the social media platform X, while the BCCI welcomed Gambhir and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Dravid for his outstanding service.
“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,” Shah wrote on X.
“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 #TeamIndia, 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 added.
As head coach, Gambhir’s primary objective will be to maintain the team’s momentum and performance at the highest level. He will work closely with players and support staff to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to address any weaknesses. Expectations are high, given India’s status as a top cricketing nation, but Gambhir’s extensive experience as a player and his deep understanding of the game make him well-equipped to handle the pressure and lead the team to further success.
Gambhir, a skilled southpaw who significantly contributed to India’s 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, recently led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an IPL title as their mentor. His leadership will be crucial as Team India aims to build on their recent success and strive for future victories.
The Board stated that the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjpe and Sulakshana Naik, unanimously recommended Gambhir on Tuesday.
