Gautam Gambhir Reveals How Jay Shah Convinced Him To Become India's Head Coach: 'Can't Say No To Me'

According to Gambhir, he was not even ready when Jay Shah offered him the job of Indian men's cricket team head coach during IPL 2024.

Gautam Gambhir was appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team in July 2024 after Rahul Dravid’s tenure as head coach of Team India came to an end. Since taking charge as head coach of Team India a couple of years back, Gambhir has won two ICC trophies but also suffered two humiliating series defeats at home against New Zealand and South Africa, something which he cannot forget.

Gambhir’s appointment as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team came as a surprise to many in July 2024 because he had no prior experience of being a head coach.

In fact, for Gambhir as well, when he was offered the head coach’s role by Jay Shah, who was BCCI secretary back then, it was a surprise.

The former India opener, in his recent appearance on the news agency ANI podcast, said that he was not ready to become head coach when Shah came up with the offer, but the former BCCI secretary said that he (Gambhir) can’t say no to him.

“I remember we were playing an IPL game in Mumbai. KKR vs Mumbai Indians, and we were staying at St Regis, and it was Jay Bhai (Jay Shah) who called me. He called me early in the morning and said, ‘I have to give you this offer, and you can’t say no to me.’ I said, ‘What?’ and he said, ‘You have to be the head coach,’ and at that time, honestly, I wasn’t even ready," Gambhir told ANI.

“It was a massive surprise because, for me, I think being the head coach of the Indian team is an honour. It’s a privilege because not many people get that opportunity to again go back in the dressing room and wear that India jersey again and do something special for the country."

“Tell me how many ex-cricketers get that? Very few, and then he told me you can’t say no, and then obviously I spoke to family; I spoke to Natasha (Gambhir’s wife), but hats off to him (Jay Shah). I have to thank him. I thanked him even during the press conference", he added.

According to Gambhir, he understands that he had no experience of coaching, but despite that, he was offered the job, and he can’t thank Shah enough for that.

“I very well realise that when I was offered this job, I had no experience of being a head coach because I’ve never been a head coach of any team or any franchise. I was always the mentor, but trusting me with that job and that high-pressure job and that high-profile job. So hopefully till now I think I’m able to live up to his expectations, and I can’t thank him enough," he said.

Gambhir also stated that after India suffered humiliating defeats in home series against New Zealand and South Africa, Shah called him and told him to stay strong.

“I remember I’ve gone through a lot of low moments in my tenure as well, which was always expected. Whether it was getting beaten by New Zealand at home or getting beaten by South Africa at home, which I normally don’t forget and I don’t think it will be difficult for me to forget. Not many people actually called me after that. I remember the only time someone called me was Jay Shah. Because I remember when we lost a game against New Zealand at Mumbai, I was going back to the airport, and I got a call from him, and obviously he told me to stay strong. He told me that he’s there with me during that hour, and then even after South Africa he was the one who called me. I was at the airport, and I was actually very low and down," he said.

“You don’t remember when your things are going good, but when you’re going through a tough phase at that time, if someone calls you and supports you at that time, I think that is something that I will always appreciate even when I won’t be the head coach of the team," he added.

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