Gambhir takes over the Mantle from Dravid

American Basketball legend, Michael Jordan once asserted that “a coach is someone that sees beyond your limits and guides you to greatness!” These words seem perfectly suitable for India’s outgoing coach and cricket legend Rahul Dravid. During his tenure, Dravid not only led India to three ICC Championship finals in the past year but also set the stage for young talents to step up as senior players gradually retire from various formats.

Despite the thrilling triumph in the T20 World Cup, it was almost a given that ex-Indian opener Gautam Gambhir would succeed Dravid as the head coach. The BCCI confirmed Gambhir’s appointment this week which was almost a formality ever since he guided Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title in May. However, stepping into Dravid’s shoes will be a daunting task for Gambhir, as he inherits a pressure-cooked role as Team India’s Head Coach. His first major assignments will be leading India to victory in the Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship over the next 12 months.

Throughout his tenure, Dravid’s coaching philosophy emphasized resilience, and strategic depth. These qualities culminated in great victories, such as the triumph over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, which showcased India’s tactical mindset - a trait instilled by Dravid. His journey as a coach was marked by defining moments, including steering India through the 2023 ODI World Cup, where the team displayed exceptional form but narrowly missed the title.

Many believe that one of Dravid’s critical contributions was changing India’s approach to T20 cricket. He shifted the team away from conservatism towards a more aggressive style, leading to India’s dominance in T20Is and achieving the highest win percentage among full ICC members during his tenure.

Additionally, Dravid won countless hearts when he refused to take the same prize money as the 15 players of the Indian squad that won the prestigious T20 World Cup. Instead, he requested the BCCI to divide the prize money equally among himself and the coaching staff, like batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip.

Having ended his tenure on a high with the T20 World Cup victory, Dravid emphasized that his job was about helping the captain and removing the fear of failure. “As a coach, my job is to help the captain deliver his vision and philosophy of how he wants the team to play. I don’t really like talking about results. Yes, results are important, but my role is beyond that,” the always humble Dravid told the BCCI.

Gautam Gambhir now steps in as India’s new head coach, as announced by BCCI secretary Jay Shah via X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week. Gambhir’s first assignment will be a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, later this month. “India is my identity, and serving my country has been the greatest privilege of my life,” Gambhir said on X and added “I’m honored to be back, albeit wearing a different hat. My goal remains the same as always - to make every Indian proud.”

While the BCCI had advertised for candidates and set a deadline for applications, discussions with Gambhir took place during IPL 2024, where he mentored the Kolkata Knight Riders to their title run. Prior to joining KKR in November 2023, Gambhir had been a mentor at Lucknow Super Giants during IPL 2022 and 2023, helping them qualify for the playoffs in both seasons. These roles, along with his illustrious playing career, made him a front-runner for the head coach position, regarded as one of the toughest jobs in cricket.

Gambhir’s cricketing career was marked by crucial roles in winning the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup, where he top-scored for India in both finals. A tenacious left-hander with a fiery spirit, Gambhir also captained KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. Despite his lack of formal coaching experience, Gambhir’s success with KKR and his ability to create a strong team environment were significant factors in the BCCI’s decision.

With VVS Laxman uninterested in the role, the options were limited. Gambhir takes over at a time of heightened expectations after the T20 World Cup win and has the onerous task to continue the legacy of excellence and inspire the next generation of Indian cricketers. The key question now buzzing in India’s cricket fraternity is - Can Gambhir fill Dravid’s coaching shoes?

While there’s no clear answer to this query, given Gambhir’s experience and dedication for the game he seems to have the capacity to guide Team India forward. Despite challenges, he needs to capitalize on the foundation laid by Dravid to ensure that Indian cricket’s future remains bright and sparkling!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Siddhaarth Mahan The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry