Gautam Gambhir (born 14 October 1981) is a former Indian cricketer and the head coach of the Indian men’s team. A gritty left-handed opening batter, he was India’s top scorer in the finals of both the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles, served a term as a BJP Member of Parliament and became India’s coach in July 2024.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Gautam Gambhir |
| Born | 14 October 1981, New Delhi, India |
| Age | 45 |
| Role | Opening batter (left-handed) |
| International career | 2003–2016 |
| Test record | 4,154 runs in 58 matches, 9 centuries |
| ODI record | 5,238 runs in 147 matches, 11 centuries |
| Current post | Head coach, India (since July 2024) |
| Spouse | Natasha Jain (m. 2011) |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Honours | Arjuna Award (2009), Padma Shri (2019) |
Early Life
Gambhir was born into a business family in Delhi and was brought up largely by his maternal grandparents. He began playing at ten, studied at Modern School and Hindu College and trained under the coaches Sanjay Bhardwaj and Raju Tandon.
Playing Career
He made his ODI debut in 2003 and his Test debut in 2004. At the first T20 World Cup in 2007 he scored 75 in the final against Pakistan in Johannesburg. In 2008–09 he made hundreds in five consecutive Tests, batted for more than ten hours to save the Napier Test in New Zealand and rose to number one in the ICC Test batting rankings. In the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka in Mumbai he scored 97 after two early wickets fell, in partnerships with Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.
After three seasons with Delhi he was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011 and led them to the title in 2012 and 2014. He retired from all cricket in December 2018.
Politics
He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in March 2019 and won the East Delhi Lok Sabha seat that year by a large margin. He left politics in March 2024.
Coaching
He was mentor of Lucknow Super Giants in 2022 and 2023 and of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024, when they won the IPL. Appointed India’s head coach in July 2024 in succession to Rahul Dravid, he began with home and away Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia, then won the Champions Trophy in March 2025 and the Asia Cup that September.
Personal Life
He married Natasha Jain in 2011, and they have two daughters. His foundation runs community kitchens in Delhi and supports the children of soldiers killed in service.
Major Titles
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Gautam Gambhir born?
Gautam Gambhir was born on 14 October 1981 in New Delhi, India and is 45 years old.
What is Gautam Gambhir’s role?
Role: Opening batter (left-handed).
What honours has Gautam Gambhir received?
Arjuna Award (2009), Padma Shri (2019).
Featured image: Gautam Gambhir receives the Arjuna Award from President Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, 29 August 2009. Photo by President’s Secretariat, licensed under Government Open Data License – India, via Wikimedia Commons.
