Former India opener and current Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir sidestepped a direct answer to a question about reports suggesting he is the top contender for India’s next head coach position. During an event, he mentioned that he isn’t looking that far ahead.
Current Team India head coach Rahul Dravid’s tenure will end up after the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the batting legend has confirmed he isn’t looking for an extension. Recently, there has been speculation on Gautam Gambhir rising because the frontrunner to succeed Dravid.
According to media reports, Gambhir participated in a virtual interview with the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee in advance this week. During an event prepared by using the Indian Chambers of Commerce in Kolkata on Friday, June 21, Gambhir was asked rumours about his potential appointment as India’s head coach.
“I don’t see that far ahead. You are grilling me, asking me all tough questions. It is difficult to answer right now.”
“All I can say is that I’m happy being here, just finished a brilliant journey (and) let’s enjoy that. I’m in a very happy space right now,” Gambhir responded, as quoted as saying by PTI.
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When questioned about his coaching philosophy, the 42-year-old emphasized prioritizing the team over personal interests, stating:
“If you have the intent of keeping your team ahead of any individual, things will fall in place. If not today, tomorrow, if not tomorrow, someday it will fall in place. But if you start thinking on that, or if you know that you need to help one or two individuals perform, then your team will only suffer.”
The ex-India left-handed batsman featured in fifty eight Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20Is, collecting greater than 10,000 runs across global formats.
“All of us within the dressing room made the change” – Gambhir commented on KKR’s victory in IPL 2024
Gambhir recently made headlines as the mentor of the KKR franchise, which won IPL 2024. He was appointed to this role before the season began. Speaking about Kolkata’s triumph, the former India opener attributed the success to the entire team setup.
“Yes I was the leader but all of us in the dressing room made the change. it was about making Kolkata proud. It was moral responsibility for me to give something back to Kolkata. In a team sport, it’s the team that matters the most. Individuals do play a role, (though); individuals do contribute,” Gambhir said.
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Expanding on the importance of equal treatment for all, he stressed that there is no room for discrimination within an organization.
“But I think if 11 people are treated equally, if 11 people have equal respect, if everyone is treated equally, given the same respect, same responsibility, same honor, you will achieve an unbelievable amount of success. You cannot have discrimination in a set up or in an organization,” Gambhir concluded.
Interestingly, the 42-year-old led the KKR franchise to victory within the IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.
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