Watch - Rahul Dravid's emotional message to Gautam Gambhir as a new era in Indian cricket begins

Rahul Dravid's tenure as India's head coach ended on a successful note with India winning the T20 World Cup 2024 title in Barbados. But now, it's time for a new era to start and Gautam Gambhir is set to begin his stint as India's new head coach with the series against Sri Lanka

Before Gambhir's era began, Rahul Dravid gave an emotional message to Gautam Gambhir and motivated him for his new role. Dravid, who had a brilliant bond with all the players in the team, expected Gambhir to have a similar bond as well. Dravid also wished all the players to be fit and available for every match.

Dravid lauded Gambhir for his resilience and his attitude of never giving up and also hoped that he could bring this quality to the Indian team as well.

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Watch - Rahul Dravid's emotional message for Gautam Gambhir

In the audio message posted by BCCI on X (formerly Twitter), Dravid warned Gambhir of the expectations that are always there with the Indian team but also wished him lots of success and hoped he could take Indian cricket to greater heights.

"Hello Gautam (Gambhir). And welcome to the most exciting job in our world as coach of the Indian cricket team. It's been three weeks since I ended my stint with the Indian team in a manner that was beyond my dreams both in Barbados and then a few days later in that unforgettable evening in Mumbai. More than anything else, I will treasure the memories and friendships I made in my time with the squad," Dravid said.

"As you take over the role of India coach, it is what I wish for you as well. I also hope that you will have the availability of fully fit players in every squad. Good luck with that!" he added.

"As your teammate, I saw you giving it your all on the field. As your batting partner and fellow fielder, I saw you resilience and refusal to surrender. Across many IPL seasons, I noted your desire to win, the assistance to work with younger players and your drive to extract the best out of your team on the field."

"I know how dedicated and passionate you are about Indian cricket and I'm sure you will bring all these qualities into this new job. As you know, the expectations will be high and the scrutiny will be intense, but even in the worst of times, you will never be alone. You will have the support of your players, your support staff, the leaders of the past, the management. And never forget for whom you play. for the fans, who are very demanding but always be behind the team. I wish you the very best Gautam and I'm sure you will take the Indian cricket team to even greater heights," the legendary batter concluded.

𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 & 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲! 📝

To,
Gautam Gambhir ✉

From,
Rahul Dravid 🔊#<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a | #<!---->S<!---->L<!---->v<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D | @<!---->G<!---->a<!---->u<!---->t<!---->a<!---->m<!---->G<!---->a<!---->m<!---->b<!---->h<!---->i<!---->r p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->k<!---->3<!---->3<!---->X<!---->5<!---->G<!---->K<!---->H<!---->m<!---->0

— BCCI (@BCCI) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->2<!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Gautam Gambhir gets emotional after hearing the message

After hearing the message, Gautam Gambhir got emotional and called Gambhir the most selfless cricketer he has ever played with. He pledged to do his job with honesty and transparency.

"I don't know how to react because this message means so much to me. And the reason is not because it comes from the person who I have succeeded now, or taking over from, but from a person whom I've always looked up to when I was playing. I have said it in most of my interviews that the most selfless cricketer I've ever played with. Rahul (Dravid) bhai has done anything and everything that Indian cricket needed of. There is so much to learn from for not only for me but for the next generation and the current generation as well that how important Indian cricket is," Gambhir stated.

"I don't get too much emotional normally but this message has actually made me a lot emotional which normally I shouldn't. But it's a great message and it's massive shoes to fill. Hopefully, I can do it with absolute honesty, and transparency and hopefully, I can make the entire nation and Rahul bhai proud," he added.

Gautam Gambhir's era will start with India's white-ball tour of Sri Lanka where the team will play three T20Is and three ODIs.