‘No bigger honour than…,’ KKR bids adieu to Gautam Gambhir as he takes over as head coach of Indian cricket team

“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮,” Kolkata Knight Riders team said as they bids adieu to team mentor Gautam Gambhir. Two-time World Cup winner has been appointed head coach of the India men's cricket team in all formats, starting later this month with the limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka. BCCI secretary Jay Shah made the announcement on X on Tuesday evening

Meanwhile, after being appointed Team India's new head coach, former cricketer Gautam Gambhir said that it's his absolute honour to serve the tricolour.

In a statement released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Gambhir congratulated Rahul Dravid and his support staff for their 'exemplary' with the Men in Blue. The former India cricketer added that he is 'honoured and excited' to take the new role.

"It is an absolute honour to serve my tricolour, my people, my country. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Rahul Dravid and his team of support staff for their exemplary run with the team. I am honoured and excited to take on the role of Head Coach for Team India," Gambhir was quoted in a release from BCCI as saying.

The 42-year-old added that he looks forward with the Head of Cricket VVS Laxman and the support staff to achieve success in the upcoming tournaments.

"I have always taken pride while donning the Indian jersey during my playing days and it is going to be no different when I take up this new role. Cricket has been my passion and I look forward to working closely with the BCCI, Head of Cricket - Mr VVS Laxman, the support staff, and, most importantly, the players, as we work towards achieving success in the upcoming tournaments," he added.

While replying to BCCI secretary Jay Shah's post, Gambhir said that he is 'elated' to be a part of this new journey.

"Many thanks for your extremely kind words and constant support @JayShah bhai. Elated to be a part of this journey! The entire team together will strive for excellence and newer heights," Gambhir wrote on X.

Gambhir, who hit some memorable knocks as a left-handed opener for India, served as Kolkata Knight Riders' team mentor in the Indian Premier League 2024. KKR lifted their third IPL trophy this season under Gambhir's guidance.