(Source X)
India’s newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir is set to embark on his tenure with the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, comprising three T20Is and three ODIs. Prior to departing for this crucial series, Gambhir expressed his eagerness to step into his new role, acknowledging the significant responsibilities ahead.
With the recent retirements of senior players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20Is following India’s victorious campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Gambhir faces a daunting task. His primary challenge will be to identify and nurture emerging talent, building a strong squad capable of competing in the 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka.
Ahead of the team’s departure for Sri Lanka, Gautam Gambhir held his inaugural press conference as India’s new head coach. Joining him was Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, who will accompany the team on the tour. Together, Gambhir and Agarkar outlined their plans to chart India’s course across different formats, emphasizing the strategic discussions that await them in Sri Lanka regarding the team’s future direction.
“The most important thing for me is they will always have my back. A happy dressing room is important. I don’t want to complicate things. I’m taking over a very successful team – the T20 world champions, the WTC runner-ups, and the ODI World Cup runner-ups. The idea is to go forward from there,” Gautam Gambhir said in the pre-departure press conference alongside Ajit Agarkar.
