Gautam Gambhir Not Important": India's New Head Coach Makes a Bold Statement

Taking the reins of an exceptionally successful team that just clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 title, Gautam Gambhir is well aware of the challenges ahead. While India has been crowned T20 world champions, they also finished as runners-up in the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship. Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, expressed his thoughts on taking over such a successful squad.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Indian team's departure to Sri Lanka, Gambhir made his priorities clear, emphasizing the importance of Indian cricket over his own significance. "The betterment of Indian cricket is important, Gautam Gambhir is not important," he stated.

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"I have always said that a happy dressing room is a winning dressing room. That's my responsibility. For me, I don't complicate too many things. I am taking over a very, very successful team. T20 World champions, runner-up in World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup. There are issues to fill, but this is a champions' team," Gambhir said.

Gambhir also highlighted his good relationship with Jay Shah and dismissed speculations about internal conflicts. "I have had a fabulous relationship with Jay Shah. All these speculations about different things. We can do a better job clarifying those things. Gautam Gambhir is not important, the betterment of Indian cricket is important. I have really enjoyed working with him, I hope it continues that way," he added.

Acknowledging the legacy left by previous head coaches like Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri, Gambhir admitted he has big shoes to fill. "The most important thing is that they will always have my back. Aim to make it a happy and secure dressing room. I am taking over a very successful team. Runner-ups in WTC and 50-overs WC. I have big shoes to fill and looking forward to it," he said.

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Gambhir will be supported by his Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) colleague Abhishek Nayar, who will serve as the assistant coach, and Ryan Ten Doeschate, who also joins the support staff. "I have worked closely with Abhishek and Ryan in the last two months at IPL with KKR. Both are absolute professionals and hopefully have a successful stint with the Indian team as coaches," Gambhir noted.

Working with star players like Team India skipper Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli, Gambhir expressed confidence in his relationship with Kohli. "I shared a great relationship with Virat Kohli, we exchange messages - he is world-class, world-class batter, I have told you many times, that we both will work hard for Team India & make 140 crore people proud," he said.

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Gambhir also emphasized the enduring value of both Kohli and Sharma to the team. "Both Virat & Rohit have lots of cricket left, they are world-class, any team would have both of them - there is the Champions Trophy, Australia series, then if fitness goes well then the 2027 World Cup," he added.

Gambhir, a former left-handed opener for India, served as the Kolkata Knight Riders' team mentor in the Indian Premier League 2024, leading them to their third IPL trophy under his guidance.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as the head coach of Team India concluded after the T20 World Cup 2024 final, where India triumphed over South Africa by seven runs, securing the prestigious trophy after 17 years.

News Source:- sports.ndtv.com