“Built as a team. Won as a team: Gautam Gambhir’s powerful message after India clinch series in New Zealand

India captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Gautam Gambhir. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized the importance of collective effort after India won the five-match T20I series against New Zealand 3-2, sharing a short but emphatic message on social media after the team’s series triumph.“Built as a team. Won as a team. Always for India,” Gambhir wrote on X after India sealed the series despite losing the fifth and final T20I by seven wickets at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.India took an unassailable 3-0 lead by winning the first three matches, but New Zealand fought back to win the last two encounters. However, the hosts’ victory in Hamilton was not enough to secure the series for India.Gambhir’s post came after he spoke about the team’s approach to pressure in the post-series press conference, making it clear that he wants his players to embrace challenging situations rather than being intimidated by them.

‘There’s no word like gift in my dictionary’

“There is no word like ‘dar’ (fear) in my dictionary and directory,” Gambhir said, emphasizing the mindset he expects from the players.The India head coach also praised the team’s response in the opening match and pointed out the difficult circumstances in which they started the series.“The way our boys handled the pressure, winning the first game after a 15-hour flight and one training session, was commendable,” he said.India’s ability to win the opening encounter and build momentum in the first three matches proved crucial in securing the series, even as New Zealand finished with strong back-to-back wins.

New Zealand ended up winning by seven wickets

In the fifth T20I, India scored 191/8 after recovering from 19/2. Ishan Kishan led the recovery with 61 off 32 balls while captain Shreyas Iyer contributed 50 off 23 deliveries. Naman Dhir added 33 off 23 balls and Nitish Kumar Reddy 22 off 17.Adam Milne was the outstanding bowler for New Zealand, taking four wickets for 19 runs.The home side chased down the target in 18 overs, winning by seven wickets. Tim Seifert smashed 93 off 50 balls while Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 65 off 38 deliveries. The pair added 86 runs for the third wicket to keep New Zealand firmly in control.Despite losing the final match, India walked away with the series 3–2. Gambhir’s message captured the attitude he wanted to emphasize: success belonged to the team as a whole, rather than individual performances.