Sports

IIE DIGITAL DESK : India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, became the embodiment of national relief and jubilation following India’s stunning six‑run victory over England in the fifth and final Test at The Oval. As the dust settled on a gripping series-decider, Gambhir broke character—his famously stoic demeanour giving way to unbridled emotion in the dressing room. The video, shared by BCCI, quickly went viral, offering fans a rare glimpse into his celebratory side.

Moments earlier on the field, Mohammed Siraj's inspired bowling, finishing with figures of 5 for 104, had sealed the victory and levelled the Test series for India at 2–2. The match culminated in nerve-shredding tension, with England needing only 35 runs with four wickets in hand before Siraj’s relentless spell tilted the outcome.

Inside the dressing room, Gambhir’s emotional release was palpable. Tossing aside his usual composed front, he embraced players, laughed and celebrated with palpable intensity. The moment marked a rare shift from coach to emotional supporter—an image fuelled by raw passion and relief. Fans and commentators alike celebrated the moment, calling it unprecedented from the normally reserved coach.

Earlier in the week, controversies had marred Gambhir’s time at The Oval. A heated confrontation with grounds staff over pitch access—where he allegedly asserted, “you don’t tell us what to do”—placed him at the center of off-field drama. Despite media attention on that altercation, the dressing-room celebration eclipsed all preceding tension.

Amidst the series-clinching win, Gambhir had also offered heartfelt praise for the team's resolve on social media. "We’ll win some, we’ll lose some... but we’ll NEVER surrender!" he declared on X, underscoring the spirit that carried India through highs and lows.

Gambhir also lauded Ravindra Jadeja’s heroic batting in earlier games, praising his valiant innings at Lord’s as “an incredible fight” in the dressing room. His message reflected keen respect for individual grit, which helped steady the team during turbulent patches.

This Oval Test epitomized the drama and resilience of India’s tour—from the earlier on-field disputes to off-field tensions, culminating in a dramatic victory. With Gambhir’s shift from intensity to ecstasy captured on screen, the emotional arc mirrored that of the series itself. Fans long accustomed to his stoicism saw a new side: a coach whose humanity and fervor come alive when national pride is at stake.

The viral dressing-room footage did more than document celebration—it humanized the coach, revealing the emotion behind leadership. It offered a symbolic closure to the tensions at The Oval and a testament to the team’s collective will.