Watch: Rahul Dravid’s special message to Gautam Gambhir ahead of IND vs SL 1st T20
Gautam Gambhir received a heartfelt message from his predecessor, Rahul Dravid, as he took on the role of Team India’s head coach. The message shared by the BCCI, ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka was a touching moment that shows the respect between the two cricketing legends.
Gautam Gambhir, who has now stepped into one of the most coveted positions in the cricketing world, was met with a surprise that left him emotional. In a video shared by the BCCI, Rahul Dravid, who had just ended his tenure with a historic T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, shared his learnings, experiences, and hopes for Gambhir.ย
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Rahul Dravid began with a tone of warmth and encouragement, saying, โHello, Gautam, and welcome to the most exciting job in our world as coach of the Indian cricket team. It’s been three weeks since I ended my stint with the Indian team in a manner that was beyond my dreams, both in Barbados, and then a few days later on that unforgettable evening in Mumbai. More than anything else, I will treasure the memories and friendships I made in my time with the squad. As you take over the role of India Coach, it is what I wish for you as well. I also hope that you’ll have the availability of fully fit players in every squad. Good luck with that.”
Rahul Dravid’s tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team was marked by major achievements, ending with the T20 World Cup 2024 victory. Dravid’s message to Gambhir was filled with insights and reflections from his own journey, emphasizing the importance of a brotherhood bond and a bit of luck.
“I also wish you that little bit of luck. As you know, that all of us coaches need to make us look a little bit wiser and smarter than we actually are. As your teammate, I saw you giving it your all on the field. As your batting partner and fellow fielder, I saw your resilience and your refusal to surrender. Across many IPL seasons, I noted your desire to win, your assistance to work with younger players, and your drive to extract the best out of your team on the field,” Dravid continued, highlighting Gambhir’s qualities and the experiences they shared.
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฐ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ & ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ! ๐
To,
Gautam Gambhir โFrom,
Rahul Dravid ๐#TeamIndia | #SLvIND | @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/k33X5GKHm0— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2024
Taking over from Rahul Dravid is no small thing, and Gambhir acknowledged the challenges of the task ahead. Dravid’s message was not just a passing of the baton but also a reminder of the values and principles that have guided Indian cricket.
“I know how dedicated and passionate you are about Indian cricket, and I’m sure you will bring all these qualities into this new job. As you know, the expectations will be high and the scrutiny will be intense. But even in the worst of times, you will never be alone. You will have the support of the players, your support staff, the leaders of the past, the management, and never forget for whom you play, for the fans who are very demanding but will always be behind the team,” Dravid advised, highlighting the support system and the passion of the fans that are integral to the role.
“From one Indian cricket coach to another, one last thing. In the most heated of times, exhale, take a step back, and even if it’s difficult for you, crack a smile. Whatever else happens, that will shock people. I wish you the very best, Gautam, and I’m sure you will take the Indian team to even greater heights,” Dravid concluded.
Gautam Gambhirโs emotional response
Gautam Gambhir, known for his intense and passionate approach to the game, was visibly touched by Dravid’s message. His response reflected the deep respect and admiration he holds for Dravid, as well as his own commitment to Indian cricket.
“Look, I don’t know how to react because this message means so much to me. And the reason is not because it comes from the person who I’ve succeeded now or taking over from, but from a person who I’ve always looked up to when I was playing. I’ve always felt that thing. And I said it in a lot of my interviews. I think the most selfless cricketer I’ve actually ever played with, Rahul Bhai has done anything and everything what Indian cricket needed. So I think there is so much to learn from, not only for me, but for the next generation and for the current generation as well, that how important Indian cricket is,” Gambhir shared his thoughts on Dravid’s selflessness and his own aspirations.
As Gambhir embarks on this new journey, he carries with him the hopes and expectations of millions of cricket fans. The path will undoubtedly be challenging, but with the support of his team and his own unwavering dedication, Gambhir is poised to lead Indian cricket to new heights.
“Hopefully, I can… It’s a massive shoes to fill. Hopefully, I can do it with absolute honesty, transparency, and hopefully, I can make the entire nation, and more importantly, the person who I’ve always looked up to, Rahul Bhai Proud,” Gambhir concluded.
The heart-touching moment between Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir highlighted a shared vision for Indian cricket – one that prioritizes the team’s success, the development of players, and the spirit of the game.
