Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as India’s coach, succeeding his former international teammate Rahul Dravid.
Despite presiding over India’s first T20 World Cup win since 2007 last month, Dravid has decided not to reapply for the job after three years at the helm.
In his place is Gambhir, the former India opener who amassed over 10,000 runs in an international career spanning 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20s from 2003 to 2016.
“I am honoured and delighted to take on the role of India head coach,” said Gambhir, who coached Kolkata Knight Riders to this year’s Indian Premier League title.
“I have always been proud to wear the Indian jersey during my playing days and it will be no different when I take on this new role.
“Cricket is my passion and I look forward to working closely with the BCCI, the Head of Cricket – Mr VVS Laxman, the support staff and most importantly the players as we work towards success in the upcoming tournaments.”
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Watch the moment India were crowned T20 World Cup champions after beating South Africa in Barbados
Gambhir was part of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the 50-overs world title four years later.
He captained Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League titles and won a third IPL crown with them as a mentor earlier this year.
A pugnacious left-handed batsman, who has represented India in 242 matches across all formats, Gambhir will begin his tenure with India’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka which begins later this month.
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In the last over of the T20 World Cup final, India’s Suryakumar Yadav took a superb juggling catch on the boundary to dismiss South Africa’s David Miller
Expectations will be high given that India, under Dravid’s leadership, also reached the final of the World Test Championship and the 50-overs World Cup at home last year.
“His appointment as head coach marks a new chapter for Indian cricket,” BCCI president Roger Binny said.
“His experience, dedication and vision of the game make him the ideal candidate to guide our team forward.
“We are confident that under his leadership, the Indian team will continue to excel and make the nation proud.”
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Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain discuss Rohit Sharma’s T20 World Cup journey and how his adventurous captaincy fuelled India’s victory
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