Gautam Gambhir Appointed as Team India Head Coach, Confirmed by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah

Mumbai, 9th July 2024: Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has officially been named as the head coach of Team India, as announced by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah on Tuesday. Gambhir steps into the role following Rahul Dravid’s departure and will be tasked with sustaining the team’s success after their recent T20 World Cup victory.

Gambhir’s first challenge as head coach will be the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, where Team India is scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is starting on July 27. Dravid resigned as head coach after leading India to triumph in the T20 World Cup, which was held in the United States and the Caribbean islands last month. His tenure ended on a high note with the team clinching the prestigious title.

Jay Shah took to social media platform X to announce the appointment. “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. “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,” he added.

The BCCI also issued a media statement welcoming Gambhir. “The former Indian opener brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the game. Known for his exceptional batting prowess and strategic acumen, Gambhir has been a pivotal figure in Indian cricket,” the statement read. The BCCI also expressed its gratitude to Dravid for his significant contributions, particularly noting the team’s victories and consistent performance under his leadership.

“Dravid’s tenure was marked by significant achievements, the most noteworthy being crowned champions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024. Team India also finished as runners-up in the ICC 50-over World Cup, 2023 hosted in India & the ICC World Test Championship in 2023 hosted in England. Apart from the team’s dominance in bilateral series at home, Dravid’s dedication to nurturing young talent and instilling discipline and sportsmanship in the team has been exemplary,” the statement added.

As Gambhir steps into his new role, his primary goal will be to ensure the Indian team continues to perform at the highest level. He will need to collaborate closely with players and support staff to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to address any weaknesses. The expectations are high, given India’s stature as one of the premier cricketing nations globally. However, 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, who played a crucial role in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, has also achieved success as a mentor, leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title. Known for his serious demeanour, Gambhir transitioned into commentary and later entered politics, serving as a lawmaker for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In March, he stepped down from politics to rejoin KKR in the IPL, a team he had previously captained to two championships in 2012 and 2014.

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

As Gambhir takes charge of the Indian team, the expectations following their T20 World Cup victory are high. This victory marked their fourth World Cup title and their first major trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

BCCI President Roger Binny also commented on the transition. “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,” Binny said. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjpe, and Sulakshana Naik, unanimously recommended Gambhir’s appointment. “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 added.

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

In a statement from the BCCI, Gambhir expressed his honour at the appointment. “It is an absolute honour to serve my tricolour, my people, my country,” he said. “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. I have always taken pride in donning the Indian jersey during my playing days and it is going to be no different when I take up this new role. 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.