Gautam Gambhir finally reacted to the possibility of becoming India's next head coach at an event hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce. The former opener Gautam Gambhir sidestepped questions about potentially taking up the coveted post in the Indian cricket team. He stated that he doesn't ‘look that far ahead’ but shared his coaching philosophy, which emphasises a ‘team-first ideology’. Gambhir, who was recently instrumental as a mentor in KKR's third IPL title win, spoke during a virtual interview with the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee earlier in the week.. Many consider him the leading candidate to succeed the current head coach Rahul Dravid, whose tenure ends following the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Despite his recent achievements as a team mentor, significantly contributing to KKR's third IPL title victory, Gambhir declined to speculate on his chances of becoming India's head coach. India's new head coach is set to start their responsibilities with the senior men's team on July 1, right after the T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean. The appointment for this position is scheduled to last until December 31, 2027.
Gautam Gambhir reacts to chances of becoming India's next head coach
Despite this, Gambhir remained reserved and did not divulge his chances when probed about his future.
"I don't see that far ahead. You are grilling me, asking me all tough questions," he said at a 'Rise To Leadership' seminar.
“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,” he added.
He went on to say that if one has the intent of keeping the team ahead of any individual, things will fall in place.
"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," he further stated.
"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. My job is not to make individuals perform. My job, as a mentor, is to make KKR win," said Gambhir who was praised all over for his role in KKR's winning run this year. For me, the guru mantra is team first philosophy. I think team-first ideology, team-first philosophy is the most important ideology in any team sport," he concluded.
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