I messaged him, congratulated him. He additionally messaged me again

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coach Chandrakant Pandit has expressed his delight at Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as Staff India’s head coach. Pandit labored with Gambhir for KKR in IPL 2024, with the latter appearing because the crew mentor.

The franchise produced arguably the best single-season efficiency in IPL historical past by ending atop the factors desk and profitable their third title. Gambhir additionally beforehand captained KKR to their first two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.

In a current interview, Pandit stated he messaged Gambhir after he was appointed India’s subsequent coach. He was quoted as saying by Information 18.

“Yesterday, I messaged him, congratulated him. It’s a prestigious job and a prestigious function he’s going to play for our nation. Clearly, I used to be very completely happy to message him. He additionally messaged me again,” stated Pandit.

Pandit admitted KKR would miss the providers of Gambhir and his rapport with the previous Indian batter.

“Clearly sure. We had an excellent rapport, discussing crew methods and planning with the captain to attain higher combos. Clearly, we are going to miss the communication we had,” added Pandit.

Gambhir will exchange earlier head coach Rahul Dravid, who lately helped India win the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy.

Dravid was the Indian head coach from November 2021, changing Ravi Shastri within the place then.

“He carries a whole lot of expertise and is unquestionably the precise selection” – Chandrakant Pandit

Chandrakanth Pandit felt Gautam Gambhir was the proper selection for the function of Indian coach, contemplating the large function he performed for India and KKR as a participant.

Aside from main KKR to 2 IPL titles, Gambhir was instrumental in India profitable the 2007 and 2011 T20 and ODI World Cups. The southpaw top-scored for India within the finals of each tournaments.

“We’re extraordinarily elated with Gambhir being appointed as the pinnacle coach of the Indian cricket crew. I’m certain he’ll do an exquisite job, as he has been doing over the previous few years. He has been pivotal for the success of KKR through the years, and likewise performed massive roles in India profitable the World Cups in 2007 (T20I) and 2011 (ODI). He carries a whole lot of expertise and is unquestionably the precise selection. I’m actually completely happy for BCCI,” stated Pandit in the identical interplay.

Whereas Gambhir’s tenure will start with India’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka on the finish of July, his first massive project would be the Take a look at collection in Australia later this 12 months and the 2025 Champions Trophy.