Gautam Gambhir Praises Shreyas Iyer and Team After T20 Series Victory Against New Zealand

Hamilton, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has lauded captain Shreyas Iyer and the entire team following their 3-2 victory in the T20 series against New Zealand. He emphasized that players should take pride in their performance.

India secured an unassailable 3-0 lead after the first three matches, but faced defeats in the subsequent two games. Since the T20 World Cup in 2026, the team has rarely had the chance to field its preferred bowling lineup due to greater focus on the ODI World Cup and the WTC Championship Final.

The absence of key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana, and Washington Sundar weakened India’s bowling attack. Despite this, the team showcased remarkable resilience and ultimately claimed the series. Following a seven-wicket loss in the fifth T20, Gambhir praised Shreyas for leading the team to victory.

In a press conference after the match, Gambhir stated, “When Shreyas took over as captain, he inherited a very successful team that had won the T20 World Cup and had not lost a series in two years. We faced strong teams after the World Cup. Importantly, we have also given opportunities to several new players. Experience was lacking, especially when playing in challenging conditions like England and New Zealand.”

He added, “This is a great opportunity. If you are thinking about preparing the team for the next World Cup, you need to give young players a chance and keep them playing consistently. Given the experience we had in our bowling lineup during and after the World Cup, it is always challenging.”

Gambhir highlighted Shreyas’s impressive leadership, especially considering the inexperience in the bowling department. “A captain’s success largely depends on the performance of their bowlers and batsmen. With an inexperienced bowling attack, I believe he has done an excellent job.”

The coach also praised the team’s efforts, noting the minimal preparation time they had after their recent series against the West Indies, which concluded on October 17. They faced New Zealand just five days later, with little time to adjust to the new conditions.

“This is an incredible effort, as players had only one day to prepare. They arrived on the 20th and practiced on the 21st. The conditions were different, the weather was different, and the size of the ground varied. Playing against a strong team like New Zealand in their home territory, especially when most of our players were touring for the first time, is commendable. The players should be proud of their efforts, especially given the lack of preparation time,” Gambhir remarked.

He also commended the team’s aggressive batting style, which has made them trendsetters in the format. “In India, we focus solely on results and overlook other factors. My job is to prepare players effectively. I share insights based on my own experiences, having played cricket in New Zealand.”

Gambhir concluded, “It is crucial for me to share all my knowledge with them, keep them mentally strong, and inspire them to play aggressively. For the past two and a half years, we have played this brand of cricket—where risks are high, but the rewards are equally significant. Sometimes we will lose matches, and at times, we may lose heavily. We will continue to face defeats, but our philosophy will not change. The success we’ve achieved over the last two years is due to this mindset.”

He affirmed, “We will accept it. Sometimes you can lose a match by 100 runs, and other times you can chase down a target of 150 runs in 10 overs. We want to play this style of cricket, whether in England, Australia, or India.”