• Gautam Gambhir celebrated his 44th birthday with warm wishes from cricketers and fans.

  • Gambhir as the head coach guided India to major triumphs including the 2025 Champions Trophy and an unbeaten T20I Asia Cup run.

India head coach turns 44: Birthday wishes for Gautam Gambhir pour in from the cricketing fraternity
Birthday wishes for Gautam Gambhir pour in from the cricketing fraternity (Image source: X)

India’s current men’s head coach and former top-order batting star Gautam Gambhir celebrated his 44th birthday on Tuesday, with heartfelt wishes from across the cricketing fraternity. Former teammates, international cricket stars, and fans took to social media to honour a player who played pivotal roles in some of India’s most celebrated victories. Renowned for his grit and composure under pressure, Gambhir enjoyed a decorated career as one of India’s most dependable openers before transitioning into a successful mentor and coach.

Gautam Gambhir’s illustrious legendary career for India

Born on October 14, 1981, Gambhir’s international journey began in 2003 and spanned over a decade until 2016. Across formats, he accumulated 10,324 runs in 242 matches, including 20 centuries and 63 fifties. He is one of only 14 Indian players to surpass the 10,000-run milestone in international cricket.

Gambhir’s peak form arrived between 2008 and 2009 when he scored 1,861 runs in just 13 Tests at a remarkable average of 77.54, which earned him the ICC Test Player of the Year award. His epic innings of 137 in Napier during the 2009 New Zealand tour remains one of India’s most determined match-saving efforts. In ODIs, Gambhir’s career tally of 5,238 runs includes his iconic knock of 97 in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup final, guiding India to glory after 28 years. He played equally crucial roles in T20Is, with his 75 against Pakistan in the 2007 T20 World Cup final helping India lift the inaugural trophy.

From IPL glory to national coaching success

Gambhir’s competitive instincts extended into the Indian Premier League, where he captained Kolkata Knight Riders to twin titles in 2012 and 2014. With 4,217 runs in 154 matches, he is remembered not just for his runs but also for his astute captaincy. After retiring from professional cricket, he was instrumental in mentoring the Lucknow Super Giants to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023, before returning to Kolkata Knight Riders as a mentor to help secure another title.

Appointed as India’s head coach in 2024, Gambhir’s tenure began with challenges, including series defeats in Tests to New Zealand and Australia. However, he showcased tactical acumen by orchestrating a remarkable 2-2 series draw against England in their backyard, despite missing senior stalwarts such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. His Test coaching record stands at six wins, eight losses, and two draws over 16 matches.

In ODIs, Gambhir guided India to a triumphant ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign and a home series win over England. His impact in T20Is has been particularly striking, with India claiming the T20I Asia Cup title without losing a single match. Notably, India beat Pakistan three times in the tournament, including the final, cementing his reputation as a leader in high-pressure matches. Under his guidance, India’s T20I record stands at 18 wins, two losses, and two ties, with no bilateral series defeats so far.

Also WATCH: Indian fans remind Rohit Sharma of unfinished ODI World Cup 2027 dream during training ahead of Australia tour

Here’s how fans wished Gautam Gambhir:

Also READ: Were Esha Gupta and Hardik Pandya in a romantic relationship? The model-turned-actress responds

Subscribe to to watch Exclusive Interviews, Podcasts, Daily News Updates & Explainers.

TAGS:

CATEGORY: Gautam Gambhir India Twitter Reactions

For latest cricket news and updates, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.

About the Author:
Akash Thapa is a dedicated cricket journalist with three years of experience in the media industry. A BA (JMC) graduate from VIPS, GGSIPU, and a postgraduate in MAJMC from the University of Lucknow, Akash combines his academic credentials with a deep-rooted passion for cricket.His background as a former junior-level wrestler and cricketer enriches his insightful analysis and commentary on the game. Known for his inventive approach to writing and his commitment to capturing the nuances of cricket, Akash is a true aficionado of the sport.Connect with Akash on , , and .