March 10, 2025

On April 2nd, 2011, the ICC World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka took place. Up to that date, India had won only one ODI World Cup. It was an opportunity to make it two, happening at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. Sri Lanka batted very well, setting a target of 275. India's innings had started, and Sehwag was out in the first over. The other opening batter was Gautam Gambhir, who had not had a good tournament so far. But not that day. Yes, that day he saved the innings. He smashed Sri Lanka’s prime bowlers and became a nightmare for them. The mud on his shirt showed his commitment to the game. That day he missed his century, scoring a brilliant 97, and had a good partnership with Virat Kohli. Of course, he did not get enough credit, but without this man, no one knows what could have happened on that day. Everyone speaks about Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians winning trophies, but there is a team led by this man which won two IPL titles under his leadership: Kolkata Knight Riders. Gambhir announced his retirement on December 3rd, 2018, but he decided that should not be the end of his cricketing career. After five years, he came back to his territory. In the year 2024, KKR announced Gambhir as head coach, and in the same year KKR won their third title under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, and obviously under coach Gautam Gambhir. In the same year, after winning the IPL, Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the Indian cricket team head coach. And the legacy is about to start. India won the Champions Trophy under this man.