'Will make dreams come true' - Gautam Gambhir's remarkable first reaction after becoming India head coach

Gautam Gambhir was announced as Team India's head coach on Tuesday (July 9). BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed his appointment.

The former India opener has replaced Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the team. Gautam Gambhir will have his task cut out after Dravid's successful tenure as the coach. Under Dravid, India made it to the semifinal of the T20 World Cup in 2022 before reaching the final of the ICC World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup in 2023.

India also won the Asia Cup last year before clinching the T20 World Cup last month. The victory in the T20 World Cup last month ended India's long wait for an ICC trophy. India won the T20 World Cup after a gap of 17 years and the onus will now be on Gambhir to end the team's long wait for the ODI World Cup trophy. He will also be looking to guide the team to glory in the Champions Trophy and WTC next year.

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

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

My goal is to make every Indian proud: Gautam Gambhir

Soon after BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian team, the former cricketer took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a message for the fans. The World Cup-winning cricketer began by expressing his love for the country, saying that serving the country has been his biggest privilege.

He further said that he is honored to return to the Indian team. Gambhir said that although he has returned to the national team in a different role, his goal remains the same, that is to make India proud.

"India is my identity and serving my country has been the greatest privilege of my life. I’m honoured to be back, albeit wearing a different hat," wrote Gautam Gambhir.

"But my goal is the same as it has always been, to make every Indian proud. The men in blue shoulder the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians and I will do everything in my power to make these dreams come true! 🇮🇳," he added.

India is my identity and serving my country has been the greatest privilege of my life. I’m honoured to be back, albeit wearing a different hat. But my goal is the same as it has always been, to make every Indian proud. The men in blue shoulder the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians… pic.twitter.com/N5YyyrhXAI

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 9, 2024

Gambhir does not have prior coaching experience but has served as a mentor in the IPL. In 2022 and 2023, he was the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants and helped them qualify for the playoffs. Earlier this year, he helped Kolkata Knight Riders clinch the IPL trophy after a gap of 10 years.