Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, carries a unique distinction that sets him apart in Indian cricket history: he possesses two World Cup medals. This accomplishment prompts the question: How many other Indian cricketers can lay claim to the same honor? The answer is a select few, placing Gambhir in an elite group. Specifically, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag and S. Sreesanth are the other Indian cricketers who have won more than one World Cup. These players were all part of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team and the 2011 Cricket World Cup-winning team.
Gambhir's contribution to India's World Cup victories is undeniable. In the 2007 T20 World Cup final against Pakistan, he top-scored with a crucial 75 runs, helping India set a competitive total. Four years later, in the 2011 Cricket World Cup final against Sri Lanka, he played another pivotal innings, scoring a resilient 97 that steadied the Indian innings after a shaky start. These performances underscore his ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage.
While Gambhir's accomplishments as a player are well-documented, his transition to coaching has also been noteworthy. After retiring from cricket, he took on mentorship roles with Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In 2024, he guided KKR to their third IPL title as a mentor. Following this success, he was appointed as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team in July 2024, succeeding Rahul Dravid. In his first major assignment as head coach, Gambhir guided India to victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Despite his achievements, Gambhir has expressed a singular regret from his playing career: not finishing the 2011 World Cup final himself. In a recent interview, he stated that he wished he had been the one to score the winning run, emphasizing his belief that it was his responsibility to see the game through.
Interestingly, Gambhir has also reflected on his time as captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, pinpointing his biggest regret as not fully utilizing Suryakumar Yadav's potential. He acknowledged that team combinations and the presence of other established players in the batting lineup limited Yadav's opportunities to bat higher up the order, where Gambhir believed he would have been more effective. Despite these constraints, Gambhir recognized Yadav's talent and appointed him as the team's vice-captain, praising his dedication and team spirit. Yadav later flourished after joining Mumbai Indians.
When asked about not captaining India for a longer duration, Gambhir has expressed no regrets. He emphasized that his primary focus was always on contributing to the team's success and winning matches for his country, regardless of his role. He briefly captained India in six ODIs from late 2010 to late 2011, winning all six matches.
As the head coach of the Indian cricket team, Gambhir's experience as a two-time World Cup winner and his leadership qualities will undoubtedly be invaluable. His focus on team goals, his commitment to excellence, and his ability to identify and nurture talent will be crucial as he guides the team towards future success.
