Rahul Dravid Offers Best Wishes To Gautam Gambhir, Praises His Extensive Experience as New Test Coach
Just hours after Gautam Gambhir signed the dotted lines of his Test debut as India cricket team's head coach, Rahul Dravid wished him the very best. He took over the position after Dravid had decided against continuing beyond the T20 World Cup which the team had just won.
Gautam Gambhir: The New Head Coach Of Team India
The former India opener had started his coaching tenure during the Sri Lanka tour, when India also posted a clean sweep in the T20Is 3-0, but ended up being defeated 1-2 in the ODI series. On Thursday, Gambhir started his Test coaching career as India started its home season against Bangladesh. There was something inside Dravid that motivated him to assert that Gambhir would do great things in his new role, hinting, of course at the experience he has both as a player and as a coach in the IPL.
"He (Gambhir) has got a lot of experience, as a player also he has played a lot, he obviously coached quite a bit. I am sure he will be great," said Dravid, who coached India to the T20 World Cup title in June.
"In any situation everyone brings his own experience and knowledge to the table. I am sure the team will benefit from everything that Gautam brings to them with his team," he added.
When Rahul Dravid was the head coach, Team India reached the final of ODI World Cup but also to the final of the World Test Championship. India begin their test season today under Gautam Gambhir. The team played continuous four months of back-to-back matches as they played 10 Test matches, with two matches against Bangladesh and three matches against New Zealand, before moving on to Australia to compete against them in a five-match series.
Rahul Dravid Praises Gautam Gambhir
Even before Gambhir took the reins of the head coach, Dravid sent a recorded message to the BCCI, wishing the new outfit all the best ahead.
"I know how dedicated and passionate you are about Indian cricket, and I'm sure you will bring all these qualities to this new job," he said.
"From one Indian cricket coach to another, one last thing. In the most heated of times, exhale, take a step back and even if it's difficult for you, crack a smile. Whatever else happens, that will shock people. I wish you the very best Gautam and I am sure you will take the Indian team to even greater heights," concluded Dravid.
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Dravid also told Gambhir that even though the challenge would be tough, the players, support staff and cricketing legends would always be there tp back him.
