Former opener Gautam Gambhir on Monday (July 22) addressed the media for the first time after securing the India head coach job.

Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid in the high-profile role, will begin his coaching stint with the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka next week.

Ahead of the team’s departure to Sri Lanka, Gambhir attended a press conference in Mumbai, where he confirmed the appointment of former Indian all-rounder Abhishek Nayar and ex-Dutch batter Ryan ten Doeschate as the new assistant coaches of Team India.

Notably, Nayar and Ten Doeschate worked with Gambhir in Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) IPL 2024 winning campaign.

“Really happy with the BCCI. They have agreed with most of the things I have asked for. The crux of the support staff will remain what it is right now, but we will finalise it once the Sri Lanka tour is over. Yes, Abhishek (Nayar) is the assistant coach, and Ryan ten Doeschate is the assistant coach. I personally feel there can be assistant coaches who can probably involve themselves more in all three departments rather than just focusing on one, and that is the reason why now we have two assistant coaches as well. And that is the way we go forward, and yes, you will get to know the exact support staff once the Sri Lanka tour is over,” Gambhir told reporters.

The newly-appointed head coach also revealed that T Dilip and Sairaj Bahutule will travel with the Indian team to Sri Lanka as part of the support staff.

“Abhishek Nayar is there, Sairaj Bahutule is there, Dilip is there, and Ryan ten Doeschate is going to join in Colombo,” Gambhir added.

T Dilip is believed to have been retained as a fielding coach following his effective performance under Dravid’s tenure. On the other hand, Bahutule is likely to serve as India’s bowling coach for the Sri Lanka tour only.

India will play three T20Is and as many ODIs on the tour of Sri Lanka, starting on July 27. While all the T20Is will take place in Pallekele, the 50-over series will be held in Colombo.

(With CricketNext Inputs)