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Gautam Gambhir was initially hesitant to take up India’s head coach role in 2024, Jay Shah convinced him. Gambhir credits KKR for his success.
Gautam Gambhir was KKR’s mentor in IPL 2024
Gautam Gambhir has been soaking in the enjoyment of India’s T20 World Cup victory. Notably, he stands alone in achieving the title twice in several roles – as a player first after which as a coach. He might just be the best coach Team India has seen, as he’s the just one to secure two ICC titles in that capability.
Nevertheless, back in 2024, Gambhir was hesitant to tackle the coaching role. In a conversation with RevSportz, the Indian head coach revealed he had no initial interest resulting from his lack of experience. It was Jay Shah, then BCCI secretary, who persuaded him.
“It was a privilege, and I do not forget that during that tenure, once I got here back to KKR after 7-8 years as a mentor after which once we began, when KKR began doing well, I got a call from Jay bhai that that is what you want to take. That you must be the top coach,” Gambhir said.
“And I at the moment was not ready for it because I had never been the top coach of any franchise, any team. I’ve never, never been the top coach.”
“I’ve at all times been the mentor, and I remember how big a challenge it was because being a mentor is totally different to being the top coach and that also of the Indian cricket team. But sometimes what fun there may be in life if there are not any challenges.”
“And I felt that if I actually have the honesty, if my heart is in the appropriate place, if I do know what I feel for Indian cricket, then I should take up that challenge,” he added.
Gambhir acknowledges KKR’s significant role in his coaching journey with the Indian team. In 2024, he returned to KKR as a mentor and, alongside head coach Chandrakant Pandit and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, led the team to its third title win.
“And possibly yes, Kolkata did play an enormous role in me getting that job. Because if I hadn’t got back to KKR, if we hadn’t done well, probably I wouldn’t have been in that position where I’m at once,” Gambhir said.
“So for me, I feel yes, Kolkata or KKR has been extremely lucky to me, whether it’s from the leadership standpoint or whether I’m being the top coach now of the Indian team, look, I actually have a special relationship with Kolkata,” he added.
March 16, 2026, 16:49 IST
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