Cricket

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener known for his passionate and disciplinarian approach to coaching, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team. Gambhir's appointment comes after Rahul Dravid's successful tenure ended with India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024.Gambhir, who has previously mentored Lucknow Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has a proven track record of success. He led KKR to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, and guided the franchise to victory in the 2024 edition.The Indian cricket fraternity has welcomed Gambhir's appointment, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the team to further glory. The BCCI had approached Gambhir after his success with KKR, where he returned as mentor this season.Gambhir's era as head coach will begin with a white-ball series in Sri Lanka, where India will play three ODIs and as many T20Is starting on July 27. The former India pacer RP Singh praised Gambhir's journey from player to coach, highlighting his hard work and dedication.Gambhir's appointment has been met with enthusiasm by fans and experts alike. His passion for the game and his ability to inspire players are expected to be key factors in India's continued success on the international stage.

Rahul Dravid, India's outgoing head coach, has declined the additional Rs 2.5 crore bonus offered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for leading the team to its second T20 World Cup title. Dravid's decision stems from his commitment to equality and team spirit, ensuring that all members of the support staff receive the same bonus.Initially, the BCCI had decided to award Dravid a Rs 5 crore bonus, the same amount given to the playing squad members. However, Dravid requested a reduction in his bonus to align it with the Rs 2.5 crore given to the other support staff, including bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, fielding coach T. Dilip, and batting coach Vikram Rathore."Rahul wanted the same bonus money (Rs. 2.5 crore) as the rest of his support staff. We respect his sentiments," a BCCI source disclosed.This is not the first instance of Dravid advocating for equal distribution of rewards. In 2018, as the head coach of India's U-19 World Cup-winning team, Dravid also refused a higher bonus for himself. At that time, the BCCI had initially decided to award him Rs 50 lakh while other support staff members would receive Rs 20 lakh each and the players Rs 30 lakh each. Dravid requested an equal distribution, resulting in a revised list where every member of the coaching staff, including Dravid, received Rs 25 lakh each.Dravid's actions reflect his unwavering commitment to equality and team spirit, hallmarks of his coaching tenure that have set a high standard for integrity and leadership in Indian cricket. His decision to decline the additional bonus ensures that all members of the support staff are recognized and rewarded equally for their contributions to the team's success.

Rahul Dravid's Successful Tenure as India Head Coach Ends, Gautam Gambhir Appointed as SuccessorFormer India captain Rahul Dravid has concluded his highly successful tenure as the Head Coach of the Indian cricket team. Under his guidance, Team India emerged as a dominant force across formats, culminating in their triumph at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah expressed his gratitude to Dravid for his exceptional contributions. "Under his guidance, #TeamIndia emerged as a dominant force across formats, including being crowned ICC Men's T20 World Cup champions," Shah tweeted.Dravid's strategic acumen, unwavering commitment to nurturing talent, and exemplary leadership fostered a culture of excellence within the team. He leaves behind a legacy of unity and resilience, with the Indian dressing room standing together through challenges and celebrating each other's successes.Following Dravid's departure, the BCCI has appointed Gautam Gambhir as the new Head Coach. Gambhir, a former India opener, brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the modern cricketing landscape."Modern-day cricket has evolved rapidly, and Gautam has witnessed this changing landscape up close," Shah said. "I am confident that Gautam is the ideal person to steer Indian Cricket forward."Gambhir's appointment marks a new chapter for Indian cricket. His experience as a player, commentator, and mentor will be invaluable as he leads the team into the future.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. Gambhir, who was the frontrunner for the position, replaces Rahul Dravid, whose tenure ended after India's T20 World Cup triumph last month.Gambhir was not the only candidate considered for the role, as the BCCI also interviewed former India batter WV Raman. However, the board ultimately selected Gambhir for his exceptional batting prowess and strategic acumen.Gambhir's appointment has been met with mixed reactions. Some experts believe that his lack of coaching experience at the international level could be a concern, while others are confident in his ability to lead the team to success.Gambhir's immediate task will be to prepare the team for the upcoming away series against Sri Lanka, which begins on July 27. The series will consist of three ODIs and three T20Is.Gambhir's appointment is a significant development for Indian cricket. He is a highly respected figure in the game and his experience and knowledge will be invaluable to the team.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener and two-time IPL-winning captain, has been appointed as India's next head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid. The announcement was made by BCCI secretary Jay Shah via X (formerly Twitter).Gambhir's appointment comes after a thorough selection process by the BCCI, which had advertised for candidates and set a deadline for applications as May 27. The board had held discussions with Gambhir during IPL 2024, where he was Kolkata Knight Riders' mentor during their run to the title.Gambhir's coaching experience is limited to his roles as mentor at Lucknow Super Giants (2022-2023) and Kolkata Knight Riders (2023-2024). However, his impressive playing career, which included crucial roles in India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup triumphs, makes him a strong candidate for the role.During his playing days, Gambhir was known for his aggressive batting style and leadership qualities. He captained KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. His appointment as head coach is expected to bring a fresh perspective and a winning mentality to the Indian team.Gambhir's appointment also marks a departure from the recent trend of appointing former players with extensive coaching experience. However, his passion for the game and his desire to coach India at the highest level were key factors in his selection.The 42-year-old Gambhir will take over from Dravid, who stepped down after the T20 World Cup 2024. Dravid had initially taken over from Ravi Shastri after the T20 World Cup in November 2021 for two years until the 2023 ODI World Cup. He then agreed to the BCCI's request to extend his tenure until the end of the T20 World Cup 2024.Under Dravid's leadership, India lifted their first ICC trophy since 2013, winning the Asia Cup in 2022. He also guided the team to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2022 and the final of the inaugural World Test Championship.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has penned an emotional tribute to former head coach Rahul Dravid, expressing his gratitude and admiration for his mentor's guidance and leadership.Dravid's tenure as coach culminated in India's triumph at the T20 World Cup, a moment that Rohit described as "the only thing missing from your arsenal." He hailed Dravid's humility, love for the game, and ability to connect with players on a personal level."I have been trying to find the right words to properly express my feelings on this, but I’m not sure I ever will," Rohit wrote on Instagram. "Since my childhood days, I have looked up to you just like billions of others but I was lucky enough to get to work with you this closely."Rohit credited Dravid with instilling confidence and fostering a comfortable environment within the team. He also acknowledged Dravid's strategic acumen, which played a crucial role in India's T20 World Cup victory."This was the only thing missing from your arsenal and I’m so happy that we got to achieve it together," Rohit said. "Rahul bhai it has been an absolute privilege to get to call you my confidant, my coach and my friend."Dravid's decision to remain as coach after the disappointment of the ODI World Cup final in 2023 proved pivotal. His guidance and support helped India overcome adversity and secure the T20 World Cup title, ending a 17-year wait for the prestigious trophy.Rohit's heartfelt tribute underscores the profound impact Dravid has had on Indian cricket. His legacy as a coach will be remembered for his ability to inspire, motivate, and lead a team to unprecedented heights.

With Gautam Gambhir's imminent appointment as Team India's head coach, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise is reportedly eyeing Rahul Dravid as his replacement as mentor. Gambhir's departure would leave a significant void at KKR, given his instrumental role in their IPL 2024 title triumph.KKR's management has reportedly identified Dravid as their top choice for the mentor position. The former India captain has a wealth of experience in coaching and mentoring, having previously served as coach of the Delhi Daredevils and head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).Dravid's availability for the IPL is also a factor in KKR's interest. Unlike his role as India's head coach, which required him to travel extensively, the IPL only demands a 2-3 month commitment per year. This aligns with Dravid's desire to spend more time with his family.Dravid's success with India's junior teams, including the Under-19 and India A sides, has further enhanced his reputation as a skilled coach. His ability to nurture young talent and develop winning teams would be invaluable to KKR.While no concrete discussions have taken place between Dravid and KKR, the franchise is reportedly keen to secure his services. Dravid's appointment would be a major coup for KKR, bolstering their coaching staff and providing valuable guidance to their players.

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history not only as a prolific batsman but also as a successful coach. Having witnessed countless standing ovations during his playing days, Dravid experienced a new level of adulation after guiding India to the T20 World Cup title in 2023.Dravid's journey as a coach has been marked by remarkable achievements. Under his stewardship, India ascended to the pinnacle of Test and ODI rankings, culminating in the T20 World Cup triumph. This victory served as a fitting farewell for Dravid, who had announced his decision to step down as coach after the tournament.Despite his illustrious playing career, Dravid's World Cup aspirations as a player remained unfulfilled. In the 1999 ODI World Cup, he emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 461 runs. India reached the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup but fell short against Australia. Dravid captained India in the 2007 ODI World Cup, but the team suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Bangladesh.However, Dravid's legacy as one of the greatest batsmen of all time remained untarnished. As coach, he instilled a winning mentality in the Indian team, leading them to victory in the 2023 ODI World Cup on home soil. Despite the team's loss in the final, Dravid's contributions were widely recognized.Captain Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role in convincing Dravid to continue as coach until the T20 World Cup. Under Dravid's guidance, India became the world's top-ranked team in both Tests and ODIs. The T20 World Cup title victory served as the icing on the cake, marking a fitting end to Dravid's tenure with Team India.Dravid's humility and down-to-earth nature have earned him immense respect. A viral video captured the moment when he received a standing ovation at a cricket academy in Bengaluru. Sporting a simple t-shirt and shorts, Dravid was greeted with a bouquet of flowers and thunderous applause. As he moved through the academy, students lined up and raised their bats in his honor. Dravid, in his characteristic style, thanked the staff and students, asking them to lower their bats.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has proposed that Rahul Dravid be honored with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, for his exceptional contributions to Indian cricket. Dravid's tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team culminated in a triumphant victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies.During his coaching stint, India achieved remarkable milestones, including finishing as runners-up in both the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship final. The team also emerged victorious in the Asia Cup in the same year.Prior to his role as head coach, Dravid had already made significant contributions to Indian cricket. He served as the head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and led the Indian U19 team to victory in the 2018 U19 World Cup as their head coach.With an impressive tally of 24,177 runs in international cricket during his playing career, Dravid's impact on Indian cricket has been immense both on and off the field. Gavaskar believes that Dravid's achievements deserve the highest recognition that the country can bestow.Gavaskar praised Dravid's unwavering commitment and selflessness throughout his career, both as a player and now as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. He highlighted Dravid's willingness to put the team's needs above his own, recalling instances from his playing days."Not for him a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batter, couldn't play those last few minutes of the day, how can one expect a lower-order batter to do so? When asked to keep wickets, he would do so because that helped the team think-tank pick an extra batter or bowler according to the pitch and the opposition," Gavaskar wrote.Gavaskar believes that Dravid's team-oriented attitude has been instilled in the team, contributing to their success in close games and their overall calmness under pressure. He concluded by expressing the gratitude of a cricket-crazy nation for Dravid's exceptional contributions.