Former Indian player and World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir was named the new head coach of the Indian Cricket Team, following the departure of Rahul Dravid.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced Gambhir’s appointment on Tuesday evening. “It is with immense pleasure that I welcome Mr @GautamGambhir as the new Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. Modern-day cricket has evolved rapidly, and Gautam has witnessed this changing landscape up close. Having endured the grind and excelled in various roles throughout his career, I am confident that Gautam is the ideal person to steer Indian Cricket forward. His clear vision for #TeamIndia, coupled with his vast experience, positions him perfectly to take on this exciting and most sought-after coaching role. The @BCCI fully supports him as he embarks on this new journey,” Shah wrote on his social media handle.

Gambhir is known to be a serial winner and will bring his vast experience and grit as the new coach of the Indian team, which clinched the latest edition of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean as a farewell gift to outgoing coach Dravid.

Gambhir’s previous assignment was with IPL Champions Kolkata Knight Riders as the Delhi-born southpaw took over the duties of the mentor for the Kolkata-based side and took them to the silverware after a wait of over a decade for the Shah Rukh Khan-owned unit. He will look to continue his golden run at the helm of the men in blue.

Gambhir was part of the 2011 World Cup winning squad and produced a crucial 97-run knock in the summit clash of the ICC showpiece on home soil to bring home the coveted title after a prolonged wait of nearly three decades.

With all the requisites for the high-profile job at his disposal, the 42-year-old is set to play a pivotal role in commandeering the Indian unit in years to come.