He succeeds Rahul Dravid in this role and faces the challenge of maintaining the team’s momentum following their recent victory in the T20 World Cup.
Gambhir’s first assignment as the head coach of the Indian team will be the upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka starting in July end.
Dravid stepped down from his position as the head coach of the Indian team. His decision came after India’s triumphant performance in the T20 World Cup, which took place in the United States and the Caribbean islands last month.
The former Indian cricketer’s tenure as the team’s coach concluded on a high note, with the squad securing the prestigious T20 World Cup title.
Shah took to social media platform X to make the formal announcement.
“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,” Shah wrote on X.
“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 #TeamIndia, 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,” Shah added.
As Gambhir takes charge, his primary objective will be to ensure that the Indian team continues to perform at the highest level. He will need to work closely with the players and support staff to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to address any weaknesses.
The expectations are high for Gambhir, given India’s status as one of the top cricketing nations in the world. However, with his extensive experience as a player and his deep understanding of the game, he is well-equipped to handle the pressure and lead the team to further success.
Gambhir, a skilled southpaw who significantly contributed to India’s 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, recently led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an IPL title as their mentor.
Known for his serious demeanor, Gambhir ventured into commentary and later entered politics, serving as a lawmaker for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
In March, he stepped down from politics to join KKR in the IPL, a team he had previously captained to two championships in 2012 and 2014.
As Gambhir assumes leadership of the Indian team, he faces elevated expectations following their T20 World Cup victory, marking their fourth World Cup title and first major trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy.