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“Even if it’s difficult for you, crack a smile. Whatever else happens, that will shock people.”
With the aforementioned statement, departing India head coach Rahul Dravid accomplished what many would believe unimaginable: he made Gautam Gambhir grin. In a heartfelt note, Dravid addressed the newly appointed head coach, who will begin his T20I series against Sri Lanka on Saturday. Gambhir was forced to sit in front of a laptop to play a message that he didn’t know originated from Dravid in a video that the BCCI shared on social media.
“As your team-mate, I saw you giving it your all on the field,” Dravid said to Gambhir. “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 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 expectations 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, your support staff, the leaders of the past, the management and never forget for whom you play – for fans who are very demanding but will always be behind the team.”
Shortly after his team’s victory in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados last month, Dravid spoke of the “luck” that had lifted the trophy, and he expressed the hope that Gambhir would have the same kind of success.
“I also wish you a 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,” he said.
Dravid’s dry humour also gave an appearance to elicit a smile from Gambhir. “Even if it’s difficult for you, crack a smile. Whatever else happens, that will shock people,” he said.
“From one Indian cricket coach to another, one last thing. In the most heated of times, exhale, take a step back. I wish you the very best, Gautam. I am sure you will take the Indian team to even greater heights.”