In an unexpected and heartfelt gesture, former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid left Gautam Gambhir speechless with a surprise voice message as Gambhir prepared for his debut as India’s head coach. The touching moment unfolded outside Gambhir’s hotel room in Kandy, a 40-minute drive from Pallekele, where Gambhir is set to lead India in the first T20I against Sri Lanka.
The BCCI media team had called Gambhir outside his room, hinting at a special surprise but keeping the details under wraps. Initially puzzled and curious, Gambhir questioned what the event was about, suspecting it might involve a recording session. It wasn’t until he was presented with a laptop that the mystery was revealed.
When Gambhir hit the spacebar, a familiar voice resonated through the speakers—it was Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer who had recently concluded his tenure as India’s head coach. Dravid’s voice conveyed warm wishes and personal reflections on his time with the Indian team.
“Hello, Gautam, and welcome to the most exciting job in our world as coach of the Indian cricket team,” Dravid began. “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. More than anything else, I will treasure the memories and friendships I made in my time with the squad. As you take over the role of India coach, it is what I wish for you as well.”
Dravid, who had led India to T20 World Cup glory, expressed his hopes for Gambhir’s tenure, including the availability of fully fit players and a bit of luck. He acknowledged Gambhir’s resilience, passion for the game, and his ability to mentor younger players.
“I also hope that you will have the availability of fully fit players in every squad. Good luck with that. 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,” Dravid added.
Dravid, who had been Gambhir’s teammate in 74 matches and sometimes a rival in the Indian Premier League (IPL), praised Gambhir’s dedication to Indian cricket. He encouraged Gambhir to maintain his composure and smile even in challenging times, offering one last piece of advice: “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.”
Reacting to the message, Gambhir was visibly moved. He struggled to find words, expressing his deep admiration for Dravid and his impact on Indian cricket. “Rahul Bhai has done anything and everything that Indian cricket needs,” Gambhir said. “There is so much to learn from him, not just for me but for the next and current generations. This message made me a lot emotional, which is not typical for me, but it’s a great message.”
Gambhir, who now faces the enormous task of stepping into Dravid’s shoes, vowed to approach his new role with honesty and transparency. “Hopefully, I can do it with absolute honesty and make the entire nation, and more importantly, the person I’ve always looked up to, Rahul Bhai, proud,” he concluded.