Outgoing Indian head coach Rahul Dravid extended a heartfelt message to his successor, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir, who gets ready to get into action with his first assignment against Sri Lanka in the white-ball series, starting from 27th July. Rahul Dravid’s tenure came to an end at the end of T20I World Cup 2024. Dravid had been at the helm since November 2021. He expressed his gratitude for the time he spent with the team and his confidence in Gambhir's ability to lead the team to greater heights.

"Hello Gautam and welcome to the most exciting job in our world as coach of the Indian cricket team. It's been three weeks since I ended my stint with the Indian team in a manner that was beyond my dreams, both in Barbados and then a few days later, in that unforgettable evening in Mumbai. More than anything else, I will treasure the memories and friendships I made in my time with the squad. As you take over the role of India coach, it is what I wish for you as well. I also hope that you will have the availability of fully fit players in every squad. Good luck with that. I also wish you that 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," Dravid said in the video posted by the BCCI.

"As your team-mate, I saw you giving it your all on the field. 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 the fans who are very demanding but will always be behind the team."

"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.

With the touching message, Gambhir was left emotional as he underlined the significance of Rahul Dravid in world cricket.

"Look, I don't know how to react because this message means so much to me and the reason is not because it comes from the person who I have succeeded now or taking over from, but from a person who I've always looked up to when I was playing. I've always felt that, I think, and I said it in a lot of my interviews. I think the most selfless cricketer I've actually ever played with, Rahul Bhai, has done anything and everything that Indian cricket needed,” Gambhir stated.

"So I think there is so much to learn from, not only for me but for the next generation and for the current generation as well, how important Indian cricket is, not me, not individuals, but what Indian cricket is, and I feel I think I don't get too emotional normally. But I think this message actually made me a lot emotional, which normally I assume, but it's a great message. Hopefully I can. It's massive shoes to fill. Hopefully, I can do it with aptitude, honesty, transparency and, hopefully, I can make the entire nation proud,” he said.