The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Tuesday, July 9, that Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the new head coach of the senior Indian men’s team. The former Indian opener takes over from Rahul Dravid, whose tenure concluded after the 2024 T20 World Cup, which India won.
Gambhir, 42, has a distinguished playing career with 242 matches for India across all formats, scoring 10,324 runs, including 20 centuries and 63 fifties. He top-scored in both the 2007 T20 World Cup final and the 2011 ODI World Cup final, leading India to victory in both matches.
In welcoming Gambhir, BCCI secretary Jay Shah posted on X:
“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. 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.”
With Gambhir mentoring the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an IPL 2024 victory, he brings valuable experience, but coaching the Indian team is a different challenge. Here are three lessons Gambhir can learn from Dravid’s successful tenure:
1. Give Players the Space and Freedom to Flourish
One of the standout aspects of Dravid’s tenure was his ability to make players feel secure about their place in the team. Players were given the freedom to fail and learn before any drastic changes were made. This approach empowered the players to play selfless cricket without the fear of losing their spot.
Most players under Dravid’s guidance have praised this approach, which translated into impressive results. Although India won only one ICC event with Dravid as coach, they made it to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and were runners-up in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC).
2. Build a Great Equation with the Captain
Indian captain Rohit Sharma paid a heartfelt tribute to Dravid, highlighting their excellent working relationship. He wrote on Instagram:
“You are an absolute stalwart of this game but you left all of your accolades and achievements at the door and walked in as our coach and came on a level where we all felt comfortable enough to say just about anything to you.”
This statement underscores the strong bond between Rohit and Dravid. A great coach-captain relationship is crucial for team success, and Gambhir will need to establish a similar rapport with the captain to ensure smooth teamwork and effective communication.
3. Be at the Forefront When Things Go Wrong
Dravid’s leadership shone through during tough times. When India lost, he took responsibility and shielded his players from immediate criticism. After the heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, Dravid faced the media with composure, allowing his players to recover away from the limelight.
His handling of such situations demonstrated his calm and resilient nature. Gambhir will need to exhibit similar qualities, showing strength and support when the team faces setbacks.
Gambhir has big shoes to fill as he steps into this high-pressure role. By learning from Dravid’s tenure, he can guide the Indian men’s cricket team towards continued success and growth.
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