“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’m sure you will take the Indian team to even greater heights,” Dravid said in a voice message to Gambhir.

Passing on the baton with class & grace! 📝

to
Gautam Gambhir ✉

From,
Rahul Dravid 🔊#TeamIndia | #SLvIND | @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/k33X5GKHm0

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2024

Awestruck by the message, Gambhir, who will start his stint with Team India as head coach on Saturday against Sri Lanka in the first T2OI, was visibly emotional.

“Look, I don’t know how to react because this message means so much for me. And the reason is not because it comes from the person who I have succeeded now, or taking over from but from a person who I’ve looked up to when I was playing,” Gambhir said in the video posted by the BCCI on X.

“I’ve always felt, I think, and I have said it in a lot of my interviews, I think he is the most selfless cricketer I’ve actually ever played with.

Pallekele: Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir during a practice session at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, in Pallekele, Thursday, July 25, 2024. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

“Rahul bhai has done anything and everything that Indian cricket needed of. So I think there is so much to learn from not only for me but for the next generation and for 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 don’t get too emotional normally but I think this message actually made me a lot emotional, which normally I shouldn’t, but it’s a great message, hopefully , I can … It’s massive shoes to fill.

“Hopefully I can do it with absolute honesty, and transparency and hopefully I can make the entire nation and more importantly the person who I’ve always looked up to, Rahul bhai proud.”

The curiosity

The video started with Gambhir asking the producer, “What are we up to and what are we doing? That’s the fact because I wanted to check last night as well. What exactly is it?”

He got the reply, “We have a special message for you. Just click the spacebar.”

Then there was a silence and Rahul Dravid started his message by saying “Hello Gautam and welcome to the most exciting job in our world, as coach of the Indian cricket team.”

“It’s been three weeks since I ended my stint with the Indian team in a manner that was beyond my dreams. Both in Barbados and then a few days later in that unforgettable evening in Mumbai,” said Dravid.

“More than anything else, I will treasure the memories and friendships I made in my time with this squad. As you take over the role of India coach, it is what I wish for you as well. I also hope that you have the availability of fully fit players in every squad. Food luck with that (smile).

“I also wish you that little bit of luck as you know that all of us coaches need to make us look that little bit wiser and smarter than we actually are.

“As your teammate, I saw you giving it all on the field. As your batting partner and fellow fielder, I saw your resilience and your refusal to surrender. Across many IPL seasons, I noted your desire to win, your assistance to work with younger players and your drive to extract the best out of your team on the team.

“I know how dedicated and passionate you are about Indian cricket and I’m sure you will bring all these qualities into this new job. As you know, the expectations will be high and the scrutiny will be intense, but even in the worst of times, you will never be alone. You will have the support of the players, your support staff, the leaders of the past, the management and never forget for whom you play. For the fans who are very demanding but will always be behind the team.”