Gautam Gambhir appointed the head coach of the senior India Men's team

Gautam Gambhir appointed the head coach of the senior India Men's team

Gautam Gambhir has been appointed the head coach of the senior India Men's team, BCCI secretary Jay Shah reported on Tuesday (July 9). The 42-year-old's first assignment will be the impending visit through Sri Lanka, which features 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is and kicks off on July 27.

Gautam Gambhir takes over from Dravid, who served in the job from November 2021 to June 2024 and stepped down following India's victorious T20 World Cup crusade in the USA and West Indies. Under Dravid, India arrived at the last of the ICC World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup in 2023, and won the T20 World Cup in 2024.

"In his new job as Head Coach of Team India, Gautam Gambhir will be responsible for overseeing the development and execution of the Indian cricket team," the BCCI said in a media release. "His focus will be on fostering a culture of greatness, discipline, and teamwork, while also sustaining youthful ability and setting up the team for future challenges on the worldwide stage."

Gautam Gambhir doesn't have previous coaching experience however has served as a mentor in various IPL teams, including Kolkata Knight Riders, who brought home the championship this year. As a player, he has been a piece of India's World Cup winning campaigns in 2007 and 2011. In a global profession spanning 12 years, from 2004 to 2016, Gautam Gambhir highlighted in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is.

"It is with immense pleasure that I invite Mr Gautam Gambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team," Shah composed on X. "Cutting edge cricket has advanced quickly, and Gautam Gambhir has witnessed this switching landscape around close. Having gotten through the drudgery and succeeded in various roles all through his vocation, I'm sure that Gautam Gambhir is the best person to steer Indian Cricket forward.

"His unmistakable vision for Team India, combined with his vast experience, positions him impeccably to take on this intriguing and most sought-in the wake of coaching job. The BCCI completely supports him as he embarks on this new excursion."

Speaking of his appointment, Gautam Gambhir composed on X: "India is my character and serving my nation has been the greatest honor of my life. I'm respected to be back, yet wearing an alternate cap. In any case, my objective is the same as it has always been, to do right by each Indian. The men in blue shoulder the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians and I will do everything possible to make these dreams work out as expected!"

Lauding the services of Dravid, Shah said, "I express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr Rahul Dravid whose profoundly successful residency as the Head Coach draws to a close. Under his direction, Team India arose as a prevailing power across formats, including being delegated ICC Men's T20 World Cup champions!

"His strategic acumen, persistent efforts to sustain ability and model leadership has instilled a culture of greatness inside the team and that is also the heritage his leaves behind. The Indian dressing room today is one cohesive unit standing together through challenges while delighting in one another's success."

BCCI President Roger Binny also praised Dravid on a successful residency and expressed trust in Gautam Gambhir. "The Board might want to thank previous Head Coach, Mr Rahul Dravid for his splendid run with the team. Team India currently embarks on an excursion under another coach - Mr Gautam Gambhir. His appointment as Head Coach marks another part for Indian cricket. His experience, dedication, and vision for the game make him the best candidate to direct our team forward. We are certain that under his leadership, Team India will proceed to succeed and do right by the country," Binny said.