Quick Score: India (255 for 5 in 20 overs) beat New Zealand (159 all out in 19 overs) by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. | IND vs NZ Final: Highlights | Scorecard |
India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Sunday said he was answerable only to the players and support staff in the dressing room, dispelling the noise on social media while reflecting on India’s historic T20 World Cup triumph.
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With their 96-run victory over New Zealand in a summit clash, Suryakumar Yadav’s men became the first men’s international team to win back-to-back T20 World Cup titles and the first to lift the trophy on home soil.
“My responsibility is not to people on social media. My responsibility is to those 30 people in that dressing room,” Gambhir said during the post-match press conference.
The former Indian opener emphasized that a coach’s success is ultimately defined by the players. Especially, Gambhir became the first man in history ICC Men’s Under-20 World Cup to win the title as a player (2007) and as a coach (2026).
“A coach is only as good as his team. The players have made me the coach I am,” Gambhir added.
India’s victory was built on explosive batting and a disciplined bowling effort. India, buoyed by a red-hot 89 from Sanju Samson and attacking half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma (52) and Ishan Kishan (54), piled up a daunting 255 for five in the final over.
Gambhir said India’s fearless approach with the bat was crucial to their success.
“We have to get rid of the fear of losing. Rather than playing conservative cricket, getting to 120 is fine. The hallmark was the bravery and courage to score 250 in the semi-final and final,” he said.
The head coach also praised captain Suryakumar Yadav for working closely with him and leading the side with clarity.
“Surya made my job easy. He was a leader who is a father figure. The bigger purpose is to celebrate trophies, not milestones. We have celebrated milestones for too many years. I urge you to stop celebrating personal milestones,” Gambhir reiterated.
Suryakumar echoed the sentiment and highlighted the trust and understanding he shares with Gambhir.
“I played under GG for Kolkata Knight Riders for four years. We never quarreled because the common goal was how the team can win. Our friendship was a given. He took two steps and I took two,” said the captain.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
09 Mar 2026 01:32 IST
