Former Indian cricket player Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). On his social media channel X (formerly Twitter), BCCI Secretary Jay Shah announced this news last night. After making this announcement, Gambhir also reacted to it. Gambhir succeeds Rahul Dravid in the role. Let’s examine Gambhir’s incredible path from being a highly regarded cricket player to going into politics and eventually leading the Indian cricket team as head coach.
Gautam Gambhir’s Cricket Career
The cricket career of Gautam Gambhir was not without its highs and lows. When the team needed him most, he delivered with game-winning efforts that cemented his reputation. Gambhir’s spectacular 75 runs in the 2007 T20 World Cup final against Pakistan helped India win the title for the first time. Similar to this, Gambhir contributed a critical 97-run innings to help stabilise the squad and win the 2011 ODI World Cup final against Sri Lanka. Gambhir scored 4,154 runs in 58 Test matches, 5,238 in 147 ODIs, and 932 in 37 T20 internationals during his career.
Entering Politics in 2019
Gambhir entered politics after quitting cricket in 2018. On the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, he ran for the Lok Sabha in 2019 from the East Delhi seat, and he won by a wide margin. He devoted five years of his life to working as a politician for the people. However, fate had other ideas, and in 2024 he gave up on his political career to rejoin cricket in a different role.
Journey as a Mentor and Coach
Gambhir’s role in coaching as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) led the team clinched the IPL trophy. Notably, Gambhir had previously captained KKR to IPL victories as well. His coaching journey has seen him serve as a mentor for two different IPL teams, showcasing his leadership skills and deep understanding of the game.
Beginning as Head Coach
Gambhir will lead the Indian team as head coach for 3.5 years, from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027. His tenure will encompass several significant ICC tournaments, including the 2025 Champions Trophy, the 2026 T20 World Cup, and the 2027 ODI World Cup. Additionally, two World Test Championship cycles will occur under his guidance.
Gambhir’s Vision for the Team
Gambhir has expressed his happiness on social media, thanking everyone for their support and promising to give his best to elevate the team to new heights. His leadership, both on and off the field, will be crucial as he embarks on this new journey with the Indian cricket team.
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