“Not like everything will be changed in the matter of a single day” - When Gautam Gambhir reacted to Rahul Dravid being named India’s head coach

Current Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir was optimistic yet cautious when his predecessor Rahul Dravid was appointed head coach in November 2021. Dravid replaced Ravi Shastri at the position after India's dismal 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE.

Under Dravid, India achieved incredible consistency with mixed results in ICC events. The side suffered heartbreaking losses in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) and ODI World Cup finals to Australia.

However, they broke a 11-year ICC title drought with an unbeaten run in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA.

Here is a recall on Gambhir's remarks after Dravid's appointement as Team India head coach in an interview with Sports Tak:

"See, I hope and pray that this era is a good one for Indian cricket, but it is important that we also keep our expectations reasonable. It is not like everything will be changed in the matter of a single day or a single series."

He added:

"But, the experience Rahul Dravid has with Rohit Sharma's calmness, and if Dravid shares his experience and his discipline when he was a member of the team as a player and manages to put that work ethic into the squad, no doubt this era will be good since Dravid has experience playing at the big stages."

Gambhir replaced Dravid as the Indian head coach after the T20 World Cup, with his first assignement coming in Sri Lanka in July.

"Even if it's difficult for you, crack a smile" - Rahul Dravid to Gambhir Gambhir ahead of coaching stint

Rahul Dravid shared a special message to Gautam Gambhir immediately after the latter's appointment as Team India head coach in July this year.

The duo played together several years for India in the final stages of Dravid's international career.

In a video shared by the BCCI, Dravid said to Gambhir:

"As your team-mate, I saw you giving it your all on the field. As your batting partner and fellow fielder, I saw your resilience and refusal to surrender. Across many IPL seasons, I noted your desire to win, your assistance to younger players and your drive to extract the best out of your team on the field. I know how dedicated and passionate you are about Indian cricket and I am sure you will bring all these qualities into the new job."

He added:

"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. I also wish you a 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. Even if it's difficult for you, crack a smile. Whatever else happens, that will shock people."

Gambhir's coaching stint hasn't begun well, with India losing 0-2 in the ODI series in Sri Lanka, followed by an embarassing 0-3 home Test series whitewash to New Zealand.

The side, however, did defeat Sri Lanka in the T20I series and beat Bangladesh 2-0 in the home Test series.