Gautam Gambhir turned 45 on October 14, 2026, a date that coincided with India's fourth T20I against West Indies in Hyderabad. The India head coach has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in international cricket since his appointment on July 10, 2024, guiding the team to multiple major tournament victories, including the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Gambhir's birthday became an occasion for former teammates and cricket personalities to extend their wishes. Yuvraj Singh, who shared the dressing room with Gambhir during their playing days, posted a message on Instagram that resonated with cricket fans across social media platforms.

"GG, you know I've always got your back and wish you only go from strength to strength! Happy birthday, brother. Always upwards, and keep making us proud! Lots of love," Yuvraj wrote on Instagram.

Tributes from the cricket fraternity

The message highlighted the bond between the two former India cricketers and their shared journey in Indian cricket. Yuvraj's post quickly gained traction on social media, with fans appreciating the warmth and sincerity of the birthday wish.

Suresh Raina, another former India cricketer, also extended his birthday wishes to Gambhir on social media. Raina's message emphasised Gambhir's qualities as both a player and coach, reflecting on his contributions to Indian cricket across different eras.

"Happy Birthday, Gauti bhai. A fighter on the field, a champion at heart, and a man who has always stood tall for Indian cricket. Wishing you good health, happiness, and many more milestones in your journey. Keep inspiring, keep leading," Raina wrote.

Gambhir's playing career and coaching success

Gambhir's playing career was marked by consistency and excellence across formats. In Test cricket, he played 58 matches, scoring 4,154 runs at an average of 41.95, with 9 centuries and 22 fifties. His highest Test score was 206. In T20 Internationals, he featured in 37 matches, accumulating 932 runs at an average of 27.41, with 7 fifties and a highest score of 75.

During 2008-09, he reached the pinnacle of Test cricket rankings, scoring 1,861 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 77.54, with 7 centuries and 7 fifties. Gambhir's performances in the 2011 World Cup were particularly notable, where he scored 393 runs across 9 innings at an average of 43.66, including 4 fifties. In the final against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, he scored 97 off 122 balls. He also made a significant contribution in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup, scoring 75 in the final against Pakistan.

As a coach, Gambhir became the first person to win the Men's T20 World Cup both as a player and as a coach. He achieved the latter feat when India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad in 2026, cementing his legacy as one of Indian cricket's most successful figures.