Gautam Gambhir Acknowledges Key Figures Behind T20 World Cup Victory
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Ahmedabad, March 9 (NationPress) Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian cricket team, expressed his sincere gratitude following the team's remarkable success at the Men’s T20 World Cup. He attributed this monumental achievement to the invaluable contributions of former head coach Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, who heads the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE), and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, emphasizing that this victory would not have been feasible without their dedication in molding the squad.
“Firstly, I must dedicate this trophy to Rahul Bhai, and then to Laxman Bhai for their pivotal roles. Rahul Bhai’s efforts in maintaining the strength of Indian cricket have been instrumental, and I am deeply grateful for all he accomplished during his time as coach,” Gambhir remarked during the post-match media briefing.
He further lauded Laxman’s behind-the-scenes influence, pointing out the significant work done by him and the CoE staff in keeping players ready for matches, even after facing serious injuries.
“VVS Laxman has selflessly contributed immensely to Indian cricket, particularly behind the scenes, as the CoE serves as a critical foundation for our cricketing future,” he noted.
Gambhir also paid tribute to the chief selector and his team, who have supported him through challenging periods, specifically mentioning Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary and current ICC chairman, who stood by him during tough times.
“Lastly, I must acknowledge Ajit Agarkar for his unwavering commitment and integrity, and also thank Jay Bhai for being one of the few who reached out during my lowest points... he believed in my ability to take on this role,” Gambhir added.
Reflecting on his own coaching journey, Gambhir emphasized the trust shown in him despite his lack of prior head coaching experience: “I recall vividly that when I was appointed, I had no experience as a head coach for any team or franchise, yet their faith in me compelled me to express my gratitude. I am confident that Indian cricket is in exceptionally capable hands.”