New Delhi: Gautam Gambhir has officially replaced Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach on Tuesday. Dravid bid farewell to Rohit Sharma and Co. after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 in his final assignment as the Indian side’s head coach. In the build-up to the T20 World Cup, the former Indian head coach had already clarified that he won’t sign an extension after the recently concluded ICC event.
The ‘second wall’ succeeds the OG as India’s new head coach, bequeathed a crack outfit by a man he has admired and sought to emulate all his cricketing life.
Gautam Gambhir’s appointment marked a new chapter in Indian cricket. Wearing a different hat in his next innings for Team India, Gambhir is honoured to be back at the national camp. The two-time World Cup winner officially replaced Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the reigning T20 World Champions on Tuesday. In his coaching swansong, Gambhir’s predecessor, Dravid, ended India’s long wait for an ICC title in the Caribbean.
“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,” Gambhir said after BCCI confirmed the appointment of the former India opener.
“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,” Gambhir added.
Confirming Gambhir’s arrival at the Indian camp as head coach, BCCI secretary Jay Shah penned a special note for the two-time World Cup winner on X, formerly known as Twitter. The BCCI secretary asserted that he is confident that Gambhir 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,” Shah said.
“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,” the BCCI secretary added.
