Team India, under Gautam Gambhir have never lost an ICC tournament. They won the ICC Champions Trophy last year, and a week back, the Men in Blue side won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He became the first coach to win the tournament as a player and coach as well, as he won the inaugural edition in 2007 as a player.
Gautam Gambhir’s record of not losing an ICC knockout match, as a player and a coach, remained perfect. The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain has been known for his discipline and backing his players despite their poor performances. Gambhir started his coaching tenure as a mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Gautam Gambhir made KKR successful
However, his actual success came from the franchise, which he led for seven seasons from 2011 to 2017. Under his captaincy, KKR won two IPL trophies in 2012 and 2014. He took over the mentorship of KKR in 2024 and yet again changed the atmosphere of the dressing room as they won their third trophy in the same year.
Your daily dose of cricket!
Gautam Gambhir then became the first and only mentor and captain to win the IPL trophy. After the success with KKR, he was appointed as the head coach of the India National Cricket Team. Since joining the Indian team as a head coach, he has changed the dynamics of the team.
KKR made me the leader I am today- Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir is now in Kolkata for the Traiblazers event organised by RevSportz, and he thanked KKR for shaping his career as a head coach. He believes that KKR helped him to become the head coach of the national side.
Gambhir said, “KKR made me the leader I am today. I never thought I would coach India. My success with KKR helped me get this job.” After Gambhir left KKR, in winning the IPL 2024, they yet again failed to qualify for the playoffs and finished in 7th position in the table.
Gautam Gambhir shaped KKR under his captaincy. He was the first captain for the side, who helped the franchise qualify for its first playoff in 2011 and won the trophy the following year. He has been known for his amazing captaincy and decision-making, even dropping big names and backing his players despite not performing.
Gambhir was key to KKR’s 2024 success
Gambhir has always been the coach and player who has kept his team first and was never a believer in personal milestones. Thus, for this reason, he has often been criticised by many fans as well. However, he remains stuck to his philosophy and has been winning games for India as a head coach as well.
Previously, Gambhir stated that because players are human and will undoubtedly make mistakes, it was critical for him as coach to shield them from criticism to the maximum extent possible, allowing them to concentrate on their performance.
Gambhir frequently emphasises the significance of creating a “secure environment” and instilling a “never say die” mindset, something he regularly practiced at KKR before taking over the Indian squad.
Also Read: “I believe I’m doing a fair job” – Gautam Gambhir fires shots at Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma
