Dubai. Amid speculations of being the frontrunner to become the head coach of the Indian cricket team, former batsman Gautam Gambhir said on Saturday that he would love to coach the national team. Gambhir recently led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third Indian Premier League title and is being seen as a worthy successor to Rahul Dravid. Dravid’s contract expires after the T20 World Cup. The last date to apply for the post of head coach of the Indian team was May 27. But it is not yet clear whether Gambhir has filled the application for it or not.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Abu Dhabi, Gambhir (42) said, “I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You will represent 140 crore Indians and people around the world.” Earlier this week, former India captain Sourav Ganguly backed Gambhir for the role of head coach, saying he was a good candidate.
Gambhir was addressing students at Medeor Hospital in Abu Dhabi. When someone asked him about coaching the Indian cricket team and helping them win the World Cup with his experience, Gambhir replied, “I have not answered this question yet, although many people have asked me about it. But now I have to answer you.” Gambhir said, “140 crore Indians will help India win the World Cup. If everyone starts praying for us and we start representing them and playing, then India will win the World Cup. The most important thing is to be fearless.” Gambhir was on a personal visit to the UAE and visited the sports medicine department at Medeor Hospital.
In this, Gambhir, who was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2007 World T20 and the 2011 ODI World Cup, was praised for the recent success of Kolkata Knight Riders. Gambhir said, “A happy dressing room is a safe dressing room. A happy dressing room turns into a trophy-winning dressing room. I followed only this mantra in KKR. With God’s grace, it really worked.”