Former Indian opening batter and KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir, who recently succeeded Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, has opened up about his unexpected acceptance of this prestigious role. In a candid interview with Virat Kohli, Gambhir shared that he had not considered coaching just a few months prior but was motivated by the opportunity to represent India again.
A Surprising Decision
Gambhir, 42, expressed that the prospect of returning to the Indian dressing room, where he has spent significant time and created lasting memories, played a crucial role in his decision. “Never thought about it. In fact, never thought about coaching India, even a couple of months back. If you ask me why, I obviously think it’s an absolute honor to be representing your country once again,” he stated.
He mentioned the excitement surrounding upcoming tournaments such as the Champions Trophy, T20 World Cup, and 50-over World Cup as factors that fueled his desire to take on this challenge. Gambhir emphasized the importance of pushing oneself and contributing to the team’s success. “Sometimes you want to challenge yourself and keep pushing forward, and that was one of the reasons why I thought, ‘Yes, I can contribute,’” he explained.
Balancing Family and Commitment
While Gambhir is enthusiastic about his new role, he acknowledged the challenges of balancing family life with the demands of coaching. With two young daughters at home, spending ten months on the road will be a significant adjustment. He noted that having family support is essential for making such decisions.
“When you’ve got a younger family and you’re spending ten months on the road away from your two girls, it will always be challenging. But unless you have the support of your family, it’s difficult to take up these decisions,” Gambhir added.
Praising Kohli’s Historic Innings
In addition to discussing his coaching role, Gambhir took time to commend Virat Kohli’s remarkable performance during the Asia Cup 2012 match against Pakistan, where Kohli scored an impressive 183 runs. He described it as possibly the best ODI innings by an Indian batter due to its context and quality of opposition. “When I talk about it being the best inning I’ve seen, it’s because of the quality of opposition, the attack, the conditions, and chasing 300 plus against Pakistan,” he remarked.
Gambhir’s admiration for Kohli extends beyond individual performances; he acknowledged how Kohli has propelled Indian cricket forward and left a legacy for future generations. “Most importantly for me, how you’ve taken Indian cricket forward is probably the legacy you’ve left for the next generation to follow,” he added.
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