New Delhi. In a much-awaited move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed former star opener Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of Team India. BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced Gambhir’s appointment on Tuesday, July 9 and welcomed him to his new role. Until last month, Gambhir was the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), under whose guidance KKR won the IPL 2024 title after a long wait of 10 years.
Gambhir will replace Rahul Dravid
Gambhir will replace Rahul Dravid, who ended his tenure with Team India after the victory in the T20 World Cup final. Speculation about Gambhir’s appointment had been going on for some time, especially after KKR’s success in the IPL. After KKR’s championship win, the BCCI has been in touch with Gambhir, who formally applied for the position last month and interviewed with the Cricket Advisory Committee.
Gambhir is the ideal choice for Indian cricket: Jay Shah
Jay Shah announced Gambhir’s appointment on social media platform X, praising his understanding of the fast-paced changes of modern cricket. Shah lauded Gambhir’s hard work and success in various roles, and expressed confidence that Gambhir is the ideal person to take Indian cricket forward. Highlighting Gambhir’s clear vision and vast experience, Shah stressed that he is the right choice to coach the world’s most popular cricket team. The BCCI has assured Gambhir of full support in his new role.
It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr. @GautamGambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. 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… pic.twitter.com/bvXyP47kqJ
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 9, 2024
How long will Gambhir’s tenure last?
Rahul Dravid became the coach of Team India in November 2021 with a two-year term, which was extended till the final of the T20 World Cup 2023. However, Gambhir’s tenure is set to be longer. When the BCCI advertised for the new head coach position in May, it was specified that the new coach’s tenure would run till December 31, 2027, giving Gambhir a three-and-a-half-year contract.