Former India opener Gautam Gambhir took charge as head coach of the India national cricket team in July 2024, succeeding Rahul Dravid. Gambhir’s journey in the role has already been a mix of remarkable success and difficult setbacks. During his time as head coach, India has lifted two ICC trophies, a major achievement for any coach. However, the tenure has also seen a couple of painful moments, including unexpected home series defeats against the New Zealand national cricket team and the South Africa national cricket team — results that Gambhir admits still stay with him.
Interestingly, Gambhir’s appointment itself came as a surprise to many in the cricketing world. Unlike several of his predecessors, he did not have prior experience as a head coach at the international or franchise level. The decision initially raised eyebrows, but the former India batter has since embraced the challenge with his typical intensity.
In fact, Gambhir recently revealed that the offer itself caught him completely off guard. Speaking on an ANI podcast, he recalled the moment he received the call from former BCCI secretary Jay Shah. The conversation took place during the IPL season, when Gambhir was with the Kolkata Knight Riders.
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“I remember we were playing an IPL game in Mumbai — KKR versus Mumbai Indians. We were staying at the St Regis when Jay Bhai called me early in the morning. He said, ‘I have to give you this offer, and you can’t say no.’ I was surprised and asked what it was. Then he said, ‘You have to become the head coach of the Indian team,’” Gautam Gambhir recalled.
The 2011 World Cup winner admitted that he initially felt unprepared for such a massive responsibility. Yet he also recognised the honour attached to the role.
“For me, becoming the head coach of India is a privilege. Not many former cricketers get the opportunity to go back into the Indian dressing room and contribute again while wearing the India badge,” Gautam Gambhir said.
#WATCH | “We were playing an IPL game in Mumbai, KKR versus Mumbai Indians and it was Jay Bhai (ICC Chairman Jay Shah) who called me…At that time, I wasn’t even ready…When I was offered this job, I had no experience as a head coach, because I’ve never been a head coach of any… pic.twitter.com/JNQyxEm3ck
— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2026
Before accepting the offer, Gambhir discussed the decision with his family, including his wife Natasha. Eventually, he agreed to take on the responsibility and publicly thanked Shah for showing faith in him. Gambhir openly acknowledges that he stepped into the job without formal coaching experience. Previously, he had served primarily as a mentor in franchise cricket. Despite that, he believes the trust placed in him by the board was a major motivator.
“I realised I had never been a head coach before — not for any franchise or team. I had always been a mentor. But trusting me with such a high-profile and high-pressure role means a lot. I hope I have been able to live up to those expectations,” he said.
The former opener also spoke candidly about the difficult phases during his tenure. India’s rare home defeats to New Zealand and South Africa were particularly tough to accept. However, Gambhir revealed that Jay Shah stood by him during those challenging moments.
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“When things go well, everyone celebrates. But when you go through tough times, very few people reach out. After our loss to New Zealand in Mumbai, I was heading to the airport when Jay Shah called and told me to stay strong. The same thing happened after the South Africa defeat. I was really low at that time,” Gautam Gambhir shared.
For Gambhir, those gestures meant a lot. He believes genuine support during challenging periods is something he will always remember — even long after his tenure as India’s head coach eventually comes to an end.
