Rahul Dravid’s message to Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach – ‘Put on a smile, it will scare people’

“Even if it’s hard for you, keep smiling. Anything else that happens, that will scare people.”

“As a teammate, I have seen you give your all on the field,” Dravid told Gambhir. “As a batting partner and playing partner, I have seen your tenacity and refusal to give up. Throughout the IPL seasons, I have noticed your will to win, your help to the younger players and your drive to bring out the best in your team on the field.

“I know how dedicated and committed he is to Indian cricket and I am sure he will bring all these qualities to the new job.

“As you know the expectations will be high and the scrutiny will be intense. But even in the worst times you will never be alone. You will have the support of the players, your support team, the old leaders, the managers and never forget who you are playing for – the fans who want so much but will always be behind the team.”

Fresh from winning the T20 World Cup final last month in Barbados, Dravid had cited the role of “luck” in helping his team lift the trophy and hoped the same would help Gambhir.

“I also wish you luck, as you know that all coaches need to make us look a little smarter and wiser than we are,” he said.

Dravid’s dry humor also gave Gambhir a smile-inducing look. “Even if it’s difficult for you, keep smiling, whatever else will happen, that will scare people,” he said.

“I’m not very emotional but I think this message actually made me very emotional which I normally shouldn’t. But it’s a great message.”

Gambhir’s reaction to Dravid’s message

“From one Indian cricket coach to another, one last time. In the heat of the moment, take a breath, step back. I wish you the best, Gautam. I am sure you will take the Indian team to an even higher level.”

Responding to Dravid’s “emotional” message, Gambhir said that he has a lot to learn from his predecessor not only for himself but for the entire generation.

“I don’t know what to do because this message means a lot to me,” said Gambhir. “The reason is not that it came from someone who succeeded, but it came from someone that I always looked up to when I was playing.

“I’ve been hearing that and I’ve said it in many of my interviews – I think he’s the most selfless cricketer I’ve ever played with. Rahul bye he did anything and everything that Indian cricket required.

“I think we can learn a lot from it, not only for me but for the future generation and the present generation. That’s how important Indian cricket is, not me, not individuals.

“I’m not very emotional but I think this message actually made me feel bad, which is something I usually shouldn’t do. But it’s a great message.

“Big shoes that I can hope to fill. Hopefully, I can do that with complete honesty, clearly and hopefully I can make the whole nation and more importantly, the person I always look up to – Rahul bye – I’m proud,” he said.