The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah, following the conclusion of Rahul Dravid‘s tenure after India’s triumph within the T20 World Cup 2024.
Former South African pacer Dale Steyn expressed his happiness and assist for Gambhir’s appointment. Steyn, who has shared the sector with Gambhir on a number of events, praised the previous Indian opener’s aggression and fierceness, qualities that he believes are lacking from modern-day cricket as a result of reputation of franchise T20 leagues, the place gamers are likely to develop friendships throughout groups.
“I’m an enormous fan of Gautam Gambhir. I really like his aggression. He is among the few Indians I ever performed in opposition to who got here again at you, and I like that. I feel he’s going to take that into the dressing room with guys like Virat and a few of the different senior gamers who may not play as huge a component anymore. I’m not too positive. Not simply in India, however in world cricket, we want guys who’re a bit of bit extra aggressive and play the sport a bit of bit tougher,” Steyn instructed Star Sports activities, as quoted by ANI.
Past his on-field aggression, Steyn additionally lauded Gambhir for being “streetwise and good” as a cricketer.
“All of us appear to play within the leagues in opposition to one another, and we grow to be fairly pleasant and associates. I like the best way that he’s fierce on the sector however a gentleman off the sector. He’s additionally streetwise, a really good cricketer, and has an excellent cricket mind. So I feel from that standpoint, he’s going to be implausible for them too,” the previous speedster added.
Gambhir’s credentials as a former Indian cricketer are spectacular. He performed a significant function in India’s triumphs on the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, contributing match-winning knocks within the finals.
Gambhir’s appointment comes on the heels of India’s victory within the T20 World Cup 2024, the place they defeated South Africa by seven runs to say their second T20 World Cup title after a 17-year drought.
