"Leaving politics never my agenda"- Gautam Gambhir on becoming Team India head coach

Former opening batter Gautam Gambhir has shared that becoming Team India’s head coach was never part of his long-term plans.

Gambhir said that his focus was simply on performing well in the IPL when he returned to KKR after eight years and not on the possibility of coaching the national cricket team.

Gautam Gambhir was serving as a mentor for Lucknow Super Giants and was also active in politics. Kolkata Knight Riders approached Gambhir to be their mentor for IPL 2024.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

He decided to skip the Lok Sabha elections to fully commit to the IPL and went on to help the Knight Riders win their third IPL title.

Gautam Gambhir Appointed as Team India Head Coach After Rahul Dravid

After Rahul Dravid stepped down following the T20 World Cup 2024, the BCCI appointed Gautam Gambhir as India’s new head coach. Gambhir’s tenure has been a mix of highs and lows so far.

India enjoyed success in white-ball cricket, including winning the Champions Trophy. However, the red-ball format has proven challenging.

India suffered their first home Test series whitewash in over a decade, losing 0-3 to New Zealand, and also lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in ten years.

These setbacks sparked criticism of Gambhir’s coaching abilities from former players. India’s defeats at home to New Zealand and in Australia led to their missing the World Test Championship final for the first time ever.

It Just Happened So Quickly - Gautam Gambhir

Speaking to CNN-News18, Gautam Gambhir revealed that becoming India’s head coach was never part of his plans. He admitted that his transition from KKR mentor to India’s head coach surprised even him.

“I have never thought about things so far in the future. When I went to KKR, I never had that intention," Gambhir told CNN-News18.

“IPL is such a big beast, going back to KKR after eight years, we were thinking of doing well, but not thinking that what if we won the IPL and I’ll end up becoming the head coach. Never ever. It just happened so quickly that I myself sometimes, when I look back, feel that things can change so quickly," he added.

Leaving Politics Was Never on My Agenda - Gautam Gambhir

The former cricketer shared that he was focused on contesting elections. However, he helped KKR win the IPL and became India’s head coach within just two months. Gambhir said that leaving politics to take up the coaching role was never part of his plan.

“In fact, I was contesting the elections because the IPL because they were happening simultaneously. So imagine not fighting the actions to go back to KKR after seven years and ending up winning the IPL and becoming the head coach winner within a span of two months," Gambhir opined.

"Leaving politics to become the head coach was never on my agenda. In fact, there was no such discussions as well. That’s why I say that keep believing, keep doing the right things with honesty and a lot of things can change very quickly," he added.

Gambhir's next assignment is a five-match Test series against England. Notably, the squad for the highly anticipated series and the new Test captain will be announced on Saturday, May 24. The series will begin at Leeds on June 20.

Also read: Gautam Gambhir breaks silence on Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's participation in 2027 World Cup