Head coach of the Indian cricket team and former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament, Gautam Gambhir has received a death threat from an entity identifying itself as ‘ISIS Kashmir’.
The threats came in the form of two e-mails, both stating the chilling message “I kill you”, sent on Tuesday—the same day as the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The Office of Gautam Gambhir confirmed that the cricketer-turned-politician has lodged a formal complaint with Delhi Police and is seeking appropriate measures to ensure the safety of his family.
“Former BJP MP and current head coach of the Indian cricket team, Gautam Gambhir, received a death threat from ‘ISIS Kashmir’. On Wednesday, he approached the Delhi Police, filing a formal complaint for an FIR and seeking measures to safeguard his family's security,” the statement from his office read.
India Today reported that Gambhir received the threatening messages in two separate e-mails—one in the afternoon and another in the evening—each containing the same three-word threat. This is not the first instance of such intimidation. In November 2021, Gambhir received a similar threat while serving as an MP.
Gambhir, who had recently returned from a family holiday in France, has maintained a low profile since India’s Champions Trophy victory in March. With the Indian Premier League currently underway, national team head coaches typically have time off during the tournament’s course.
Appointed in July last year, Gambhir succeeded Rahul Dravid as the national side’s head coach. His tenure began under scrutiny following a string of disappointing results, including defeats to Sri Lanka in ODIs and a home Test series whitewash against New Zealand. The situation worsened when India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia, ending an eight-year hold on the prestigious title. Further controversy erupted as leaked dressing room discussions found their way into the media, raising questions about internal team dynamics.
However, India’s triumphant, unbeaten run in the Champions Trophy, culminating in a final victory over New Zealand, brought much-needed redemption for the team and its head coach.
Gambhir was among several Indian sportspersons who condemned the Pahalgam attacks. In a social media post, he stated, “Praying for the families of the deceased. Those responsible for this will pay. India will strike.”
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