‘Players Will Always Have My Support’, Says Gautam Gambhir As Ex-Opener Formally Takes Over As India Head Coach

New Delhi: Gautam Gambhir has aimed to foster a happy dressing room as the two-time World Cup champion takes over formally from Rahul Dravid as India’s new head coach. The former southpaw is coming after a successful stint as a mentor with Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 and will embark on a new era in Indian with the tour of Sri Lanka which starts later this week. A no-nonsense guy, Gambhir has always been a shrewd tactician as far as his coaching is concerned. The India job is his first proper role as a head coach. Earlier, Gambhir served as mentor for Lucknow Super Giants and KKR.

“The most important thing is that the players will always have my support. My aim is to create a happy and secure dressing room. I am taking over a very successful team, having been runner-ups in both the WTC and the 50-over World Cup. These are big shoes to fill, and I am looking forward to the challenge,” said Gambhir while addressing the media as India head coach for the first time.

Gambhir also declared that his much talked about relationship with batting mainstay Virat Kohli “is between the two of us and not for TRPs”. Gambhir and Kohli had not been the best of friends, something which was evident from the multiple confrontations between the two in the IPL. However, the duo will now be working together starting with the T20 and ODI tour of Sri Lanka from July 27.

“My relationship with Virat Kohli is between the two of us and not for TRP,” Gambhir said. In the context of Kohli, Gambhir added, “We have had lots of discussions and everyone has the right fight for their jersey.” With the departure of seniors Rohit Sharma and Kohli from the T20 International scene, workload management of someone like Jasprit Bumrah assumes greater significance, Gambhir said.

Both Rohit and Kohli announced their retirement from the shortest format after India’s title triumph in the T20 World Cup last month. “Workload for someone like Jasprit Bumrah is important. Now that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play only two formats, I expect them to be available for most games,” Gambhir said.

There has been a lot of talks regarding India’s support staff alongside Gambhir. Former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar and Netherlands batter Ryan ten Doeschate, who worked with Gambhir in the IPL 2024 during his stint as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders, are joining the Indian team coaching staff for the Sri Lanka tour.

Gambhir said the full details of his support staff will be known only after the Sri Lanka tour. “Really happy with BCCI. They’ve agreed with most things I’ve asked for. The crux of the support staff will remain as they are. The rest of the staff will be finalised after the Sri Lanka tour. (For now) Abhishek and Ryan as assistant coach. T Dilip will continue as fielding coach. Sairaj Bahutule as interim bowling coach for the Sri Lanka tour,” he said.