New Delhi. Former opener Gautam Gambhir, who was a member of India’s World Cup team, was on Tuesday appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The board hopes that he will bring “firmness and leadership” to the post which was recently held by Rahul Dravid with “great success”.
Gambhir, a 42-year-old left-handed batsman who played a key role in India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win, was the frontrunner to replace Dravid. Dravid’s tenure ended with India’s victory in the T20 World Cup in Barbados last month. Gambhir’s first tour as India’s coach will be to Sri Lanka where the team will play a series of three T20 and as many ODIs from July 27.
BCCI President Roger Binny said in a detailed statement, “The board would like to thank former head coach Rahul Dravid for his excellent performance with the team. Team India will now embark on a journey under the leadership of new coach Gautam Gambhir.” The board said that the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) of Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape and Sulakshana Naik unanimously recommended Gambhir’s name on Tuesday.
Binny said, “His appointment as the head coach is a new chapter for Indian cricket. His experience, dedication and vision towards the game make him the ideal candidate to take our team forward.” He said, “We are confident that under his leadership, Team India will continue to perform better and make the country proud.” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah also agreed with him.
Shah said, “Now this responsibility has been handed over to Gautam Gambhir who will play the role of head coach from the upcoming series in Sri Lanka.” He said, “Gambhir has been a tough competitor and a brilliant strategist. We believe that he will bring the same determination and leadership ability in his role as head coach. His coming to the role of head coach is a natural progression and I am confident that he will get the best out of our players.” Shah said that he hopes that Gambhir will inspire the team and take it to new heights.
He said, “His vision for the future of Indian cricket completely matches our goals and we are excited about the journey ahead.” As a player, Gambhir led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2012 and 2014. He then proved his coaching credentials as the mentor of the Knight Riders team that won the IPL title in 2024. “In a BCCI statement, Gambhir said, “It is an honor for me to serve my tricolor, my people and my country.”
He said, “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rahul Dravid and his support staff for their outstanding performance with the team. I am feeling honored and thrilled to take on the role of the head coach of Team India.” Gambhir said, “I was always proud to wear the Indian jersey since my playing days and it will be no different when I take on this new role.” Gambhir said that he is looking forward to working closely with the BCCI, National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman, support staff and most importantly the players as everyone will work towards achieving success in the upcoming tournaments.
It is the biggest honour to serve Indian cricket: Gautam Gambhir
India’s newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday said it would be a “great honour to serve the tricolour” in the prestigious position and that he would “put in all my efforts” to deliver good results for the team. Gambhir, one of the heroes of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win, replaced Rahul Dravid whose tenure ended with the recently concluded T20 World Cup in which the Indian team won the title.
Gambhir wrote on ‘X’, “India is my identity and serving my country has been the greatest honor of my life. I am honored to be back (with the team), albeit in a different role. But my goal is the same as always, to make every Indian proud.” He said, “Team India is carrying the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians on its shoulders and I will do everything in my power to make these dreams come true.” Under Gambhir’s captaincy, Kolkata Knight Riders won the IPL title in 2012 and 2014. He was the mentor of the Knight Riders team that won the IPL title in 2024.
Gambhir congratulated Dravid on his wonderful career of three years.
He said, “It is an honor to serve your tricolor, your people and your country. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rahul Dravid and his support staff for their outstanding performance with the team. I am honored and thrilled to take up the role of head coach of Team India.” Gambhir said that he is looking forward to working with some great people of the cricket world to take Indian cricket forward, including National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman.
He said, “I have always been proud to wear the Indian jersey since my playing days and it will be no different when I take up this new role.” Gambhir said, “Cricket is my passion and I am looking forward to working closely with the BCCI, National Cricket Academy head VVS Laxman, support staff and most importantly the players as we work towards achieving success in the upcoming tournaments.”