Gambhir Takes Over as Head Coach of Team India

Promises Safe and Happy Dressing Room

Mumbai- mitment to creating a supportive and positive environment for the team.

Gautam Gambhir Steps in as Team India's Head Coach

Mumbai, July 22 (HS): Gautam Gambhir has officially assumed the role of head coach for Team India, following in the footsteps of Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri. "The most important thing is that they will always support me. My goal is to make the dressing room happy and safe. I am taking charge of a very successful team. I have to shoulder a big responsibility, and I am excited for it," Gambhir stated in a press conference on Monday.

Gambhir will lead a star-studded team featuring Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. He emphasized his strong relationship with Kohli, saying, "I have a very good relationship with Virat Kohli; we exchange messages. He is a world-class batsman. I have told you many times that we both will work hard for Team India and make 140 crore people proud. Both Virat and Rohit have a lot of cricket left in them. They are world-class, and any team would be lucky to have them. We have the Champions Trophy, the Australia series, and if fitness remains good, there will be the 2027 World Cup."

In a related development, Suryakumar Yadav was named captain of the T20 series against Sri Lanka, with matches scheduled for July 27, 28, and 30. This will be Yadav's first assignment as team captain. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized Hardik Pandya's importance to the team despite fitness challenges, stating, "Hardik has always been an important player for us. It is difficult to find skills like him. Fitness has been a challenge for him. Hopefully, his performance is more important than anything else. We want a player who is available on most occasions. Having said all this, Surya has all the necessary qualities to become a captain."

The Indian team will also play a three-match ODI series on the Sri Lanka tour, starting on August 1. The T20I matches will be held at the Pallekele International Stadium, while the ODI series will be hosted at R Premadasa.