Rahul Dravid's Special Message to Gautam Gambhir

Pallekele [Sri Lanka]: As Team India prepares to kickstart a new era under the head coach Gautam Gambhir, former Indian coach Rahul Dravid, who vacated the job after a dream run at ICC T20 World Cup last month, had a wholesome message for his successor, lauding him for his passion for the sport and making him aware of the challenges he could encounter as a coach.

In a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Dravid delivered a special message for Gambhir via an audio file, noting how he had a dream end to his stint as a coach and wished Gambhir to experience the same at the end of his tenure.

Dravid also jokingly remarked that he hopes Gambhir will have a squad full of fully fit, first-choice players available every time, a privilege Dravid could not enjoy during the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, the ICC World Test Championship final 2023 and the 50-over World Cup at home last year. He termed the job as Indian head coach as the "most exciting one".

Dravid told Gambhir that expectations will be sky high and scrutiny will be intense, but during the worst of the times, his team of players, support staff, legends of the sport and the highly demanding and passionate fans will always have his back.

"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.

Reacting to the video, Gambhir said that he did not know how to react as this message was coming from someone who he looked up to as a player. He called Dravid as the "most selfless player" he has worked with.

"Rahul Bhai has done anything and everything that Indian cricket needs. So I think there is so much to learn from, not only for me but for the next generation and the current generation as well, that how important Indian cricket is. Not me, not individuals, but what Indian cricket is. And I feel, I think, I do not get too much emotional normally, but I think this message actually made me a lot emotional, which normally I shouldn't, but it is a great message.

(With ANI inputs)