BCCI, on July 9, 2024, announced Gautam Gambhir as the next Team India head coach. Gambhir will take over from Rahul Dravid, whose tenure ended with India winning the T20 World Cup 2024.
Gambhir’s first assignment as Indian team head coach will be the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka later this month.
Many previous cricket greats in India and around the world have praised the choice of former India opener Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the national men's cricket team.
South African pace legend Dale Steyn expressed his admiration for Gambhir, highlighting his on-field aggression and off-field gentlemanly demeanor.
"I am a big fan of Gautam Gambhir. I love his aggression. He is one of the few Indians that I have played against that kinda came back at you. And I liked that. I think that he has taken in the dressing room with the guys like Virat Kohli and some of the other senior players might not play a bigger part anymore, I am not too sure. I don't want to say they are completely out," Steyn remarked while speaking to Star Sports.
Steyn further emphasized the need for aggressive players like Gambhir in world cricket.
"Not just in India but in world cricket. They need guys that are a little bit more aggressive. They play the game a little bit harder. We all seemed to play in the league against each other and we became quite friendly and friends. I like the way that he's fierce on the field but he's a gentleman off the field. Then also a street-wise and very smart cricketer and has a great cricket brain. So, I think from that point of view he's gonna be fantastic for them too," Steyn added.
Steyn’s former South Africa teammate Jacques Kallis praised Gambhir’s cricketing acumen and welcomed the decision to name him head coach.
"Great to see guys like him going to the coaching side of things. He's got a really good cricket brain on him. He'll bring some fire. He loves playing the game aggressively. I think he will bring that added touch to that. The guys will certainly learn a lot from him and he's got a lot to add. He's gonna add a lot of value to that Indian side. Wish him all the best but not too much against us. And I am sure he's gonna do a fantastic job and the players will certainly learn a lot from him," Kallis said.
Meanwhile, one of Gambhir’s on-field rivals, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi described Gambhir as a positive and straightforward individual.
"Main samajhta hoon ki nayi opportunity bohot badi hai. Depend karta hai ki who kis tarah avail karta hai yeh. Kabhi kabaar interviews wagera sunne ko milte hai, bahut achchi positive baat karte hai, straightforward hai," Afridi said.
As Gambhir steps into his new role, the cricketing world watches with keen interest, expecting significant contributions to India's future triumphs on the international stage.
