Gautam Gambhir expressed that it would be a great honor for him to coach the Indian team. Reports indicate that Gambhir is the frontrunner to become India’s next head coach after Rahul Dravid’s tenure concludes following the T20 World Cup 2024. The former India cricketer has received significant praise for revitalizing Kolkata Knight Riders in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL), guiding the franchise to their third title and first in 10 years. 

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Many fans are eager to see him as the next head coach of the Men in Blue. However, the 42-year-old has remained silent on the matter for some time. During a recent interaction with young sports enthusiasts at Medeor Hospital in Abu Dhabi, a young student asked Gambhir if he aspired to coach India and how he would help the team win the World Cup. 

“I would love to coach the Indian team. There is no bigger honour than coaching your national team. You are representing 140 crore Indians and more across the globe as well and when you represent India, how can it get bigger than that? It is not me that will help India win the World Cup, it is 140 crore Indians who will help India win the World Cup. If everyone starts praying for us and we start playing and representing them, India will win the World Cup. The most important thing is to be fearless.” the former India skipper.  

Gautam Gambhir has phenomenal record as skipper 

Lucknow Super Giants brought Gambhir on as their mentor for their debut IPL season in 2022. The Delhi-born cricketer guided them to the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023 before signing with the Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2024. Gambhir was well-acquainted with the KKR environment, having led the team for seven seasons and securing two titles in 2012 and 2014. 

KKR had finished seventh in the previous two editions of the IPL. Gambhir joined and instilled a winning mentality in the team. Under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, they won nine out of 14 league matches, with two games ending without a result. They defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in both Qualifier 1 and the final to lift the coveted title.