'Gautam Gambhir plays to win'- Childhood coach reveals Gambhir's accurate prediction for Rohit Sharma and gesture for Kohli

Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as head coach of Team India after Rahul Dravid's term ends.

Gautam Gambhir, newly appointed as India's head coach, considers it a great honour to serve the country in this prestigious role. Having recently guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title in 2024, Gambhir emerged as a leading candidate to succeed Rahul Dravid. Dravid had led India to their awaited World Cup victory before stepping down, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to announce Gambhir's appointment on Tuesday.

Jatin Paranjape, Malhotra, and Sulakshana Naik unanimously recommended Gambhir for the high-profile position within Team India. With two World Cup victories under his belt, Gambhir is entrusted with the task of filling Dravid's substantial shoes. Gambhir's childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, believes the former India opener possesses the qualities to bring out the best in his players and elevate Team India to new heights.

In an interview with PTI, Bharadwaj expressed confidence in Gambhir's integrity and ability to contribute positively to Indian cricket. He noted that Gambhir has exhibited a winner's mentality since the age of 10 and has always possessed a keen sense of observation. Bharadwaj also disclosed that he foresaw Rohit Sharma's rapid ascent during the early stages of the India captain's career.

Gambhir will serve as India's head coach across all formats for the next three and a half years, aiming to make a significant impact on the team's performance.

"He has previously played alongside Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. A long time ago, he even awarded his 'Man of the Match' award to Virat, which reflects his generous nature and golden heart. He had mentioned to me years ago that Rohit Sharma would one day become a great player. This prediction came at a time when Rohit was in his initial days and needed encouragement. His prediction regarding Rohit turned out to be accurate," Bhardwaj remarked.

"If Gautam believes something is right for the team, he stands firmly by that decision. Gautam is a player who plays to win. He understands team dynamics well and focuses on achieving a balanced team composition. There's no room for favouritism in his approach; the only thing he favours is the game of cricket," Bharadwaj added.