Gautam Gambhir named India team Head Coach by BCCI secretary on X, Board confirms later

Former India captain and opener Gautam Gambhir, fresh from leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 title triumph, was named as Head Coach of the Indian cricket team. He replaces Rahul Dravid, who led India to the T20 World Cup title this month. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah announced the appointment through X (formerly Twitter) handle at 7.57 pm (Indian Standard Time).

His announcement was followed by BCCI’s official statement an hour later, at 8.50 pm.

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

"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."

"His clear vision for Team India, coupled with his vast experience, positions him perfectly to take on this exciting and most sought-after coaching role. The BCCI fully supports him as he embarks on this new journey."

Gambhir, who served as a Member of Parliament in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2019-2014 period, himself took to X to express gratitude.

“India is my identity and serving my country has been the greatest privilege of my life. I am 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 and I will do everything in my power to make these dreams come true!” he wrote on X.

He then thanked Jay Shah.

“Many thanks for your extremely kind words and constant support @JayShah bhai. Elated to be a part of this journey! The entire team together will strive for excellence and newer heights,” he wrote on his handle.

Besides winning the IPL titles as captain of KKR in 2012 and 2014 and as coach this year (2024), he also played match-winning knocks in the 2007 T20 World Cup final and 2011 ODI World Cup final, both of which India won.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) paid tribute to him in its report.

“Back in his playing days, Gambhir was a star at the top of the order for India. He won the ICC Test Player of the Year for 2009 and was named in the World Test XI that year,” it stated.

“In 2011, his spectacular knock in the final of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup propelled India to a Cricket World Cup win after 28 years. He also played a starring role in 2007 when his knock in the final led India to a title win in the inaugural men's T20 World Cup.”

Gambhir, however, has big shoes to fill. His predecessor Dravid led India to the finals of the World Test Championship 2023, the ODI World Cup 2023 and the T20 World Cup 2024.  

While his appointment was on expected lines, the manner of its announcement was strange. The BCCI secretary announced it from his personal handle an hour before the Board did. The norm has been for the BCCI to make the announcement officially as a unit.