“Here’s to another year of shaping the future of Indian cricket” - BCCI secretary Jay Shah extends birthday wishes to coach Gautam Gambhir
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah took to Instagram to share a birthday post for men's team coach Gautam Gambhir on Monday, October 14. The former Indian batter, who turned 43, was appointed coach on July 9, 2024, succeeding Rahul Dravid.
Since taking on the role, Gambhir has led India to a clean sweep against both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the T20I series and a whitewash of the Bangla Tigers in a two-match Test series. However, the only ODI series under his leadership so far ended in a loss to Sri Lanka.
As the left-hander celebrated his 43rd birthday, Jay Shah shared a message, writing:
“Happy Birthday to our Head Coach, @gautamgambhir55! Here’s to another year of shaping the future of Indian cricket. Wishing you success and happiness today and always!”
The Indian team will next take the field to host New Zealand in a three-match Test series, beginning Wednesday, October 16, in Bengaluru.
Gautam Gambhir represented India in 242 matches across formats
The left-handed batter made his India debut in an ODI against Bangladesh in April 2003. Gambhir donned the blue jersey in 147 ODIs, scoring 5,238 runs at an average of 39.68, with 34 fifties and 11 centuries, his highest score being an unbeaten 150.
He played a crucial 97-run knock off 122 balls in the 2011 ODI World Cup final, helping the Men in Blue lift the trophy after 28 years by defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets.
Gambhir was instrumental in India’s success during the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. He finished as the tournament's second-highest run-scorer with 227 runs in six innings, including a match-winning 75 in the final against Pakistan.
The 43-year-old played 58 Tests for India, accumulating 4,154 runs, including 22 fifties and nine centuries.