Former India opener and Kolkata Knight Riders mentor, Gautam Gambhir, recently dodged direct responses to speculations about him being the frontrunner for India’s head coach position. Speaking at an event, he mentioned that he’s not looking that far ahead.
The current Team India head coach, Rahul Dravid, will conclude his tenure after the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the batting legend has confirmed he has not sought an extension. Over the past few days, Gambhir’s name has surfaced as a likely candidate to take over from Dravid.
According to media reports, Gambhir participated in a virtual interview with the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee earlier this week. At an event organized by the Indian Chambers of Commerce in Kolkata on Friday, June 21, Gambhir was asked about these reports.
“I don’t see that far ahead. You are grilling me, asking me all tough questions. It is difficult to answer right now,” Gambhir responded, as quoted by PTI. “All I can say is that I’m happy being here, just finished a brilliant journey (and) let’s enjoy that. I’m in a very happy space right now.“
When questioned about his coaching philosophy, the 42-year-old emphasized putting the team before oneself: “If you have the intent of keeping your team ahead of any individual, things will fall in place. If not today, tomorrow; if not tomorrow, someday it will fall in place. But if you start thinking about helping one or two individuals perform, then your team will only suffer.”
Gambhir, who played 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20Is for India, scoring over 10,000 international runs, has a wealth of experience to draw upon.
“All of Us in the Dressing Room Made the Change” – Gambhir on KKR’s IPL 2024 Triumph
Gambhir has also been in the spotlight recently for his role as mentor of the KKR franchise, which lifted the IPL 2024 trophy. Appointed to the role ahead of the season, Gambhir credited the entire team setup for their success.
“Yes, I was the leader, but all of us in the dressing room made the change. It was about making Kolkata proud. It was my moral responsibility to give something back to Kolkata. In a team sport, it’s the team that matters the most. Individuals do play a role and contribute, but the collective effort is what leads to success.”
Emphasizing the importance of equality and respect within the team, Gambhir added, “If 11 people are treated equally, given the same respect, same responsibility, same honor, you will achieve unbelievable success. You cannot have discrimination in a setup or organization.“
Gambhir’s leadership is not new to KKR fans, as he captained the franchise to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. His return as mentor has once again led them to glory, showcasing his significant impact on the team.
