The Indian Cricket team is set to take on Sri Lanka in a highly anticipated three-match T20I series, beginning Saturday, July 27. This series marks the commencement of a new era in Indian cricket, as Gautam Gambhir officially begins his tenure as head coach, alongside Suryakumar Yadav, the new T20I skipper. The duo will carry forward the legacy of Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma, who led India to their second T20 World Cup triumph after 17 years.

Expectations are high from Gautam Gambhir

Expectations are soaring for Gambhir, who took over as head coach following his successful stint with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), leading them to their third IPL title in 2024. Fans and cricket enthusiasts are eager to see how Gambhir will shape the future of the Indian team, building on the solid foundation laid by his predecessor, Dravid. With a reputation for resilience and a winning mentality, Gambhir is expected to bring a fresh perspective and a competitive edge to the squad.

Rahul Dravid shares a special message for Gambhir

Ahead of the T20I series, Gambhir received a heartfelt message from Dravid, whose shoes he is filling. In a surprise video message, Dravid reflected on the glory of winning the 2024 T20 World Cup under his coaching and extended his best wishes to Gambhir.

“Hello, Gautam, and welcome to the most exciting job in our world as coach of the Indian cricket team… 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,” Dravid stated in the video.

Dravid reminisced about their time together, highlighting Gambhir’s dedication and drive. He added, “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.”

Gambhir reacts to the heartwarming message

Gambhir was visibly moved by Dravid’s message, expressing his deep respect and admiration for the former coach. He acknowledged the significance of receiving such a heartfelt message from someone he has always admired. Gambhir emphasized that his admiration for Dravid goes beyond their professional relationship; it stems from the deep respect he has for Dravid’s selflessness and unwavering dedication 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,” Gambhir said.

Also READ: Cricket Weekly Roundup – Beginning of Gautam Gambhir’s coaching era to Women’s Asia Cup finalists

Reflecting on Dravid’s contributions

Gambhir also reflected on Dravid’s contributions to Indian cricket, describing him as the most selfless cricketer he has ever played with. He praised Dravid for always putting the needs of Indian cricket above his own, serving as a role model not only for Gambhir but for the entire cricketing fraternity.

“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,” added Gambhir.

Here is the video:

𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 & 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲! 📝

To,
Gautam Gambhir ✉

From,
Rahul Dravid 🔊#TeamIndia | #SLvIND | @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/k33X5GKHm0

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2024

Gambhir’s commitment to uphold Dravid’s legacy

In his concluding remarks, Gambhir expressed his commitment to upholding the values and standards set by Dravid. He acknowledged the immense responsibility of filling Dravid’s shoes and the challenges that come with it. Gambhir pledged to approach his new role with honesty and transparency, aiming to make not only the nation proud but also Dravid, the person he has always looked up to.

“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,” Gambhir concluded.

Also READ: SL vs IND 2024, 1st T20I: Match Prediction, Dream11 Team, Fantasy Tips & Pitch Report | Sri Lanka vs India

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