As Gautam Gambhir steps into his new role as Team India’s head coach, he received a heartfelt surprise message from his predecessor, Rahul Dravid, ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video in which Dravid conveyed his best wishes, sharing valuable insights and experiences from his own tenure as head coach. Dravid’s message was filled with warmth and encouragement, welcoming Gambhir to what he described as the “most exciting job in the world.”

Dravid reflects on Gambhir’s coaching journey

In his message, Dravid praised Gambhir’s achievements and dedication, reflecting on his time as a coach and mentor for various Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. He expressed confidence in Gambhir’s ability to lead the national team, noting his strategic acumen and passion for the game. Dravid’s insights were not only about the technical aspects of coaching but also touched on the importance of fostering a positive team environment and the need for emotional resilience.

“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.

Gambhir’s emotional response

Overwhelmed by Dravid’s thoughtful gesture, Gautam Gambhir admitted that the message made him emotional. Dravid’s words of wisdom and encouragement struck a chord with Gambhir, reminding him of the legacy he is set to inherit. In his message, Dravid humorously urged Gambhir to remember to smile, even during challenging times, a reminder of the camaraderie they shared during their playing days. Gambhir’s response highlighted his respect for Dravid and his determination to carry forward the successful path paved by his predecessor.

“Not me, not individuals, but what Indian cricket is. I feel, I think, I don’t get too much emotional normally, but I think this message actually made me a lot emotional, which normally I assume, but it’s a great message. 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,” he said.

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The exchange between Dravid and Gambhir reflects not only the transition of leadership within the Indian cricket team but also the deep bonds and mutual respect that exist among former teammates. As Gambhir embarks on this new chapter, the legacy and support of his predecessors will undoubtedly guide him in leading Team India to new heights.

During the T20 World Cup 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Virat Kohli how his family felt when he was struggling to score runs in the USA and the West Indies. PM Modi mentioned that the support from those around him was crucial for his match winning performance in the final against South Africa.

PM Modi was candid and engaging as he spoke with the T20 World Cup winning Indian team during a breakfast he hosted in New Delhi on Thursday. He made jokes and detailed observations about India’s campaign in the USA and the West Indies, showing his knowledge of the game and praising Rohit Sharma’s team for their victory.

PM Modi spoke with each player during the breakfast. When he talked to Virat Kohli, he asked about his inconsistent form during the T20 World Cup and pointed out that Kohli scored more runs in the final than in the previous seven matches combined.

“Virat, tell me, the battle this time was full of ups and downs,” PM Modi said.

Virat Kohli reflected on his challenging journey during the T20 World Cup, admitting he felt he wasn’t performing to his potential. He credited the support from the team, especially coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma, for helping him deliver the match-winning performance in the final.

“Thank you for inviting us here. I will always remember this day. I couldn’t contribute as much as I wanted. I told Rahul Dravid that I felt I wasn’t doing justice to myself or the team. He reassured me that he believed I would deliver when it mattered,” Kohli said.

Kohli’s initial doubts transformed into confidence

“I also told Rohit Sharma, when we walked out to bat in the final, that I wasn’t confident. But after the first delivery, I told him, ‘What is this game? One day, you feel like you can’t score a run, and the next, everything clicks.’

“When wickets started falling, I wanted to give my all to the team. I was focused and in the zone. I realized that whatever is meant to happen will happen. This victory was destined for us.

“Even towards the end, when the game became tense, we lived every ball. At one point, hope was fading. But when Hardik Pandya took a wicket, everything changed, and we fought back with every delivery,” he added.

“Everyone feels it. You had scored 75 runs in total before the final, and 76 in the final. There’s a reward in having everyone’s support. It becomes a driving force,” PM Modi said, keeping the conversation light. He also asked Virat Kohli how his family reacted when he was struggling to score runs before the big final.

Recent defeats in ICC finals will have no bearing on how India perform in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, according to head coach Rahul Dravid. India have stumbled at the last hurdle in their two most recent appearances in ICC finals, having tasted defeat to Australia in both last year’s ICC World Test Championship final in London and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad.

“I’m sure they will not be thinking about history and it will be a fresh day…”

Dravid, however, believes this will have no impact on the fortunes of India in the one-off contest against South Africa in Barbados on Saturday. The Asian side is attempting to claim their second T20 World Cup title after their success in the inaugural tournament back in 2007.

“I don’t think players go in keeping the baggage of the past and what has happened in the past, so every day is a fresh day,” Dravid said.

“Players are very good at moving on from things, of recognising things. So yes, I think just as we will move on from Ahmedabad, I’m sure they will not be thinking about history and it will be a fresh day.

“Two good teams, two teams I think that everyone will agree that probably the top two teams in this tournament played the best cricket I think in this tournament, both South Africa and India.

“So, deserving finals for both the teams and hopefully it’s a great game of cricket and hopefully we fall on the right side.”

India’s unbeaten run and focus on performance

India enter the T20 World Cup decider unbeaten in the tournament. The only game they failed to win was against Canada in Florida, where inclement weather conditions forced the clash to be abandoned. Three victories at the tournament preceded the Canada match, and four wins have come after. Despite this impressive record, Dravid believes India has yet to produce a faultless performance at the event.

“I think you’re always looking to improve. And I don’t think you can ever have a perfect game,” Dravid added.

“Certainly, we have not had a perfect, perfect game in any game and I don’t think any team really does.

“So, look, I mean, I think in one day it’s not that, you’re going to suddenly start changing things too much. So, for us really, I think now getting into this final, it’s just about staying relaxed, about trusting the good cricket that we’ve played about recognising I think that we found ourselves in pressure situations right through this tournament but we’ve always found players and people to come up and deliver the goods.

“Also just recognising that we’ve got a really good balance in the team, we’ve got the players and just for us to, like I answered earlier, maybe just come there really well prepared, do all the things that we can do, control all the controllables, do everything that we need to do and then just go out and play hopefully a great game of cricket.”

While hopeful that a perfect game will come against South Africa, Dravid is a realist. He is focused on helping the players stay relaxed and produce close to their best in the clash. Dravid’s emphasis is on maintaining composure and performing consistently rather than dwelling on past disappointments.

See Also: “My best memories are…”, Rahul Dravid shares thoughts before his last day as team India coach ahead of T20 WC Final 2024 – Cricket Winner

India’s campaign in the tournament has been strong, and the team is determined to overcome the final hurdle this time. Dravid’s confidence and pragmatic approach aim to guide India to their second T20 World Cup triumph, irrespective of their previous ICC final setbacks.