Gautam Gambhir appointed Head Coach of Indian cricket team

Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team. 

This significant development comes after the tenure of Rahul Dravid, who recently concluded his role on a triumphant note by leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. 

Dravid's successful stint has set high expectations for Gambhir as he takes on this prestigious position. 

The announcement was made by BCCI secretary Jay Shah on X (formerly known as Twitter), highlighting the board's confidence in Gambhir's ability to guide the team to new heights.

"It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr Gautam Gambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team," Shah posted.

"Modern-day cricket has evolved rapidly, and Gautam has witnessed this changing landscape up close," he continued.

"Having endured the grind and excelled in various roles throughout his career, I am confident that Gautam is the ideal person to steer Indian Cricket forward.

"His clear vision for Team India, coupled with his vast experience, positions him perfectly to take on this exciting and most sought-after coaching role," he concluded.

Gambhir, who has an illustrious international career with over 10,000 runs, made his ODI debut in 2003. His extensive experience and keen understanding of the modern game were highlighted by Shah.

Before taking on his new role, Gambhir served as a mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants during the IPL seasons of 2022 and 2023, helping the team qualify for the playoffs in both seasons. In November 2023, he joined KKR. These have been his primary coaching roles since retiring as a player.

Throughout his playing career, Gambhir was instrumental in India's victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, top-scoring for India in the finals of both tournaments. He also captained KKR to two IPL titles, in 2012 and 2014.

Gambhir will assume the responsibilities from former Test cricketer VVS Laxman, who is currently serving as the Interim Head Coach for the ongoing series against Zimbabwe on their home soil.