Former India head coach Rahul Dravid had a special and classy message for his successor and the new Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who is currently in Sri Lanka for the 6-match limited overs series, starting Saturday, July 27.
Dravid, who had completed his tenure in the role, on a high, with a T20 World Cup 2024 win in June, effectively handed over the baton to Gambhir, in the most gentlemanly way possible.
The BCCI media staff had surprised Gambhir with a recorded message from Dravid.
"Actually, what are we up to, what are we doing? Do we have to record something?" asked a bemused Gambhir
"So, we have a special message from someone very special from the cricket fraternity, who you would know," the BCCI media staff replied.
When Gambhir played the video, it was a message from none other than "The Wall" Rahul Dravid.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on IND vs SL T20I cricket action
What special message did Rahul Dravid give to Gautam Gambhir?
The BCCI released Dravid's message on social media, titled "Passing on the baton with class & grace. To, Gautam Gambhir. From, Rahul Dravid."
𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 & 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲! 📝
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2024
To,
Gautam Gambhir ✉
From,
Rahul Dravid 🔊#TeamIndia | #SLvIND | @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/k33X5GKHm0
"Hello Gautam and welcome to the most exciting job in our world, as coach of the Indian cricket team," Dravid said.
"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. I also hope that you will have the availability of fully fit players in every squad. Good luck with that!"
"I also wish you that 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. As your teammate, 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 work with 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."
"As you know the expectation will be high and the scrutiny will be intense but even in the worst of times, you will never be alone. You will have the support of the players and your support staff, the leaders of the past, the management, and never forget for whom you play - for the fans, who are very demanding but will always be behind the team"
"From one Indian cricket coach to another, one last thing! In the most heated of times, exhale, take a step back and even it is difficult for you, crack a smile. Whatever else happens, that will shock people. I wish you the very best, Gautam and I'm sure you will take the Indian team to even greater heights," Dravid concluded.
How did Gautam Gambhir react to Rahul Dravid's welcome message?
Gambhir looked emotional as he reacted to Dravid's wholesome message, saying that the latter was a selfless cricketer, whom he used to look up to, during his playing career.
"Look, I don't know how to react because this message means so much to me and the reason is not because it comes from the person who I have succeeded now or taking over from, but from a person who I've always looked up to when I was playing. I've always felt that I think, and I've said in a lot of my interviews."
"I think the most selfless cricketer I've ever actually played with is Rahul [Dravid] bhai, who has done anything and everything what Indian cricket needed of, so I think there is so much to learn from, not only for me but for the next generation and for the current generation as well. That how important Indian cricket is. Not me, not individuals, but what Indian cricket is,"
"And I feel I don't get too much emotional normally but I think this message actually made me a lot emotional which I normally shouldn't, but it is a great message. Hopefully I can do it, with absolute honesty and transparency. It is a massive shoe to fill, hopefully I can make the entire nation and the person who I've always looked up to, Rahul bhai proud."
India will take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, on July 27.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >