After guiding Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title as mentor in 2024, Gautam Gambhir has bid an emotional farewell to the team and its passionate fans.
Gambhir, who had previously led KKR to two IPL triumphs as captain in 2012 and 2014, has now taken on a new role as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team.
In a heartfelt video, Gambhir expressed his deep connection with the city of Kolkata and the KKR franchise, stating, “I smile when you smile, I cry when you cry, I win when you win, I lose when you lose. I believe with you, and I have become you. I am you Kolkata. I am just one of you.”
The ex-India opener acknowledged the special bond he shared with the KKR fans, describing it as a “bond, a story, a team.”
National duty for Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir emphasized that the time has come to create new legacies and write “bigger and bolder scripts” for the Indian national team, which he called the “treasured India blue.” He promised the KKR fans that he would continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder with them, but this time, it would be all for the tricolour, the nation’s pride.
Here’s the video
Come Kolkata, let’s create some new legacies @KKRiders @iamsrk @indiancricketteam
Dedicated to Kolkata and KKR fans…
Special thanks to Cricket Association of Bengal @cabcricket @kkriders
Directed by:
@pankyyyyyyyyyyyy
DOP: @Rhitambhattacharya
Written by:
Dinesh Chopra… pic.twitter.com/vMcUjalOLj
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 16, 2024
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah expressed his delight in welcoming Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team. He stated that his “clear vision for Team India, coupled with his vast experience, positions him perfectly to take on this exciting and most sought-after coaching role.”
Gambhir, a former T20 and ODI World Cup winner with India, took over the reins from Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after India’s T20 World Cup triumph.
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Gambhir’s reaction to his appointment as India coach
Gambhir reiterated his unwavering commitment to serving the nation: “India is my identity and serving my country has been the greatest privilege of my life. I’m honoured to be back, albeit wearing a different hat. But my goal is the same as it has always been, to make every Indian proud.”
He acknowledged the immense responsibility of leading a team that carried the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians and vowed to do everything possible to make those dreams come true.
Gambhir’s farewell video and his transition to the national team coaching role have been widely celebrated by the cricketing fraternity and fans. His dedication, leadership, and passion for the game have made him a beloved figure in the Indian cricket landscape, and his new position as the head coach of the national team is seen as a natural progression in his illustrious career.
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