Former Indian cricketer and now national team coach Gautam Gambhir has been sent a threat mail supposedly from the Islamic State (ISIS), for which law enforcement and cybercrime units in India have responded immediately. The matter has generated anxiety at both public and official levels, considering the high-profile identity of the target and the severity of the threat.

Gambhir filed a formal complaint with the Rajinder Nagar Police Station in New Delhi, and on its heels, local police and cyber security cells launched an investigation. The authorities are presently working on checking the authenticity of the email, identifying the sender of the mail, and establishing the reason for making the threat. The matter has prompted the coordinated effort of multiple security agencies to keep the cricketer safe.

The timing of the threat has raised special interest, coming as it does soon after a fatal attack in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir that left several casualties. Following the attack, Gambhir had made a strong post on social media, which many feel could have prompted the threat from extremist forces.

Just back from a family holiday in France, Gautam Gambhir is at present on leave from his coaching duties during the current Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. It is natural for head coaches of the national side to be taking a break during the IPL so that they can relax and see players in competition at domestic level.

Gambhir’s stint as head coach has been a combination of successes and failures. During his tenure, India won the Champions Trophy 2025 in March, a big success that lifted the team’s morale. But the initial part of his coaching career was filled with a series of losses, including a One Day International series loss to Sri Lanka, a 0-3 home whitewash against New Zealand, and a 1-3 series loss in Australia.

In reaction to the threat, Indian security personnel are taking the issue very seriously. Further steps are said to be being taken to enhance Gambhir’s security, with staff being deployed to guard him and closely monitoring any subsequent suspicious messages.

The incident spotlights the long-standing threats against public personalities in India, particularly those who have strong voices regarding national security concerns. Since Gambhir continues to be both a sports personality and a politically vocal individual, this kind of incident serves to underscore the risks that come with being in the public eye within a volatile socio-political environment.

The authorities have also assured the public that everything possible is being done to keep Gambhir safe and to track the source of the threatening message. The investigation continues, and officials are optimistic that the perpetrators will be caught and brought to book in the near future.

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