Rahul Dravid recorded a special message for his successor as head coach, Gautam Gambhir ahead of the T20I series against Sri Lanka. After listening to Dravid’s words of encouragement and experiences as head coach, Gambhir got a little emotional. The former Indian opener who has played with Dravid said that he has always looked up to him. At first, Gambhir was lost for words as he finished listening to the message.
“I don't know how to react because this message means so much to me. And the reason is not because it comes from the personal who I have succeeded now, or taking over from, but from a person who I've always looked up to when I was playing,” Gambhir said in a video posted by BCCI on social media.
Gambhir hails ‘selfless’ Dravid
Gambhir called Dravid a selfless cricketer as he took up any role his team demanded of him. When Indian wanted a wicketkeeper-batter in ODI World Cup 2003, Dravid agreed to don the gloves. He wants the current generation of players to learn from the 51-year-old’s commitment to the Indian cricket.
“I've always felt, I think, and I said it in a lot of my interviews. I think the most selfless cricket I've actually ever played with. Rahul bhai has done anything and everything what Indian cricket needed of. So, I think there is so much to learn from, not only for the next generation and for the current generation as well that how important Indian cricket is. Not me, not individuals, but what Indian cricket is,” Gambhir said.
‘Massive shoes to fill’
Gambhir admitted that the message made him emotional. He understands the responsibility as head coach and intends to not just make him proud.
“I don't get too much emotional normally, but I think this message actually made me a lot emotional which normally I shouldn't but it's a great message. I have got massive shoes to fill. Hopefully, I can do it with absolute honesty, transparency, and hopefully I can make the entire national and more importantly, the person who I've always looked up to, Rahul bhai proud,” he concluded.
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