I Can Promise You That...: Gautam Gambhir On His Mantra As Head Coach

Gautam Gambhir was appointed as India’s new head coach on July 9 after Rahul Dravid’s contract came to an end in June 2024. On Monday (July 22), the former Indian opener attended his first press conference, and during that, he opened up about his mantra as head coach.

According to the member of the Indian team that won the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2007 T20 World Cup, he believes in giving freedom to the players and has added that players will always have his back.

“I think it’s important to give players the freedom. That’s what I absolutely believe in, and not have a relationship that is strictly of a head coach and a player. For me, the best relationship is one built on trust, and that is going to be very important. I can promise the guys that they will always have my back. I’ve always said that a happy dressing room is a secure dressing room. So, it’s my responsibility, alongside the entire support staff, to make it a happy and secure dressing room,” Gambhir said during a press conference in Mumbai.

“I don’t complicate too many things, nor do I want to complicate them. One thing we need to be clear about is that I’m taking over a very successful team: T20 world champions, runner-ups in the World Championship, and another runner-up in the 50-over World Cup. It’s not that it’s not a successful team. So, yes, I think it’s big shoes to fill,” he added.

During the presser, Gambhir also opened up about his much-talked-about relationship with Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli and said that he shares an excellent bond with the former Indian captain off the field.

“My relationship with Virat Kohli is not for TRP. At the moment, we are representing India; we are representing 140 crore Indians. We have an excellent relationship with him off the field. But it’s not for the public. It’s not important how many chats I’ve had with him during or after the game. He is a thorough professional, a world-class athlete, and hopefully he will continue that way,” Gambhir added.

Gambhir will officially take charge of the Indian team on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which is set to start on July 27. India will face the Islanders in three T20Is under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and then play a three-match ODI series in Colombo under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy.