Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir has said he would love to coach the Indian national men's cricket team, adding that it would be the highest honor of his career. Speaking at an event at Medeor Hospital in Abu Dhabi, Gambhir, who recently mentored KKR to their third IPL title, engaged with young sports enthusiasts and shared his aspirations and vision for Indian cricket.
Gambhir is set to replace Rahul Dravid as the new head coach of the Indian senior men's national cricket team. The World Cup-winning former opener is ready to take on the responsibility despite his recent commitment to the IPL franchise, Knight Riders. The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) called for applications for the top job as Dravid's tenure is set to end in June. The deadline for applying for the head coach position was May 27.
"I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and more across the globe as well and when you represent India, how can it get bigger than that?", Gambhir was quoted as saying by ANI while responding to a question from a student about his coaching ambitions.
Gambhir emphasized the collective effort required to achieve success on the world stage, particularly referencing the coveted Cricket World Cup. "It is not me that will help India win the World Cup, it is 140 crore Indians who will help India win the World Cup. If everyone starts praying for us and we start playing and representing them, India will win the World Cup," he remarked.
The former opening batsman also shared his philosophy of playing the game, stressing the importance of a fearless approach. "The most important thing is to be fearless," Gambhir asserted, indicating that courage and confidence are crucial elements for any team aiming for greatness.
Gambhir's career with the Indian cricket team is storied, featuring key contributions in India's 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victories. Known for his tenacity and tactical acumen, his potential involvement in a coaching role could bring a wealth of experience and insight to the current squad.
Gambhir began his mentoring career at the highest level in 2022 with the Lucknow IPL franchise. During his two-year tenure, the team, coached by Andy Flower, reached the playoffs. Afterward, Gambhir returned to KKR, where he successfully led a highly talented squad to their third IPL championship. His contributions in providing role clarity and uniting the Knight Riders toward a common goal were praised by the players, other support staff members, and co-owner Shah Rukh Khan.
Source: India Today