Series 12, little rest: Gautam Gambhir begins with the mental toll of coaching India

India head coach Gautam Gambhir admitted that the demands of coaching the national team across formats left him mentally drained at times, but insisted he was strong enough to handle the pressure. Having overseen 12 series in 2026, Gambhir acknowledged the strain of a busy cricket calendar but said he was ready to “take the bullet” for as long as he could.

Gambhir then spoke India beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the fifth and final T20I in Hamilton on Sunday. Chasing down a target of 192 in 18 overs, the hosts ended the series on a winning note, although India had already clinched the five-match contest 3-2.

While the players’ workload is managed by rotation and rest, Gambhir has had little time away from the game as India’s head coach of all formats. His responsibilities spanned across formats, so he has a demanding schedule throughout the year.

Even as VVS Laxman took charge of the T20I team at the 2026 Asian Games, Gambhir oversaw India’s ODI side in the home series against the West Indies. There is also little respite in sight as India are scheduled to play five ODIs and two Tests against New Zealand.

However, Gambhir made it clear that he does not believe in making excuses, even as he acknowledges the rigors of the job.

“There is no place for fear in my vocabulary, my directory and my ideology and that word does not exist in my life. I think we are professionals and I have always believed that there are no excuses,” Gambhir said in the post-match press conference after the fifth and final T20I.

New Zealand vs India 5th T20I: Highlights

The India coach admitted that the pressure can be relentless, especially when you are working with a team that is expected to win every match.

“In terms of workload, I know it’s tough. It can also be very demanding. Especially when you’re on the road and the pressure you go through. Especially coaching a team like India and people don’t give you an inch. Everyone expects you to win every game, but you have to be realistic as well. I enjoy it,” he added.

Asked if he felt “mentally cooked” juggling responsibilities across formats, Gambhir admitted that there were times when the workload caught up with him. However, he insisted he is still able to handle the pressure.

“Yes, I have, to be honest, but I’m strong enough to handle it. I’m strong enough to take it as long as I can. I’m built that way and I can take the pressure; I can take a bullet. But yes, I’m a human being; there will be times when I feel exhausted, but so far I’ve taken it,” he said.

GAMBHIR PROUD OF INDIA’S T20I SERIES WIN

Despite the defeat in Hamilton, Gambhir was pleased with India’s overall performance in the series. The Shreyas Iyer-led side arrived in New Zealand just days before the opening match in Christchurch and had little time to get used to the conditions.

India won the first three matches to take an unassailable lead before New Zealand claimed victory in the last two games. Gambhir felt that the team’s start to the series deserved special credit, given the limited preparation time and the challenge of playing in unfamiliar conditions.

“First of all, it’s an unbelievable effort because the guys only had one day to prepare. Different conditions, different weather conditions, different dimensions, playing against a quality team like New Zealand in their backyard, with the amount of experience they had in T20 cricket and most of the guys who were touring New Zealand for the first time,” Gambhir said.

He also pointed to the long journey from India and the team’s ability to adapt after just one training session.

“My view is that after one training session, after a 15-hour flight, if the boys can put in a performance like that, especially against quality sides, I think a lot of credit has to be given to that side; I think it’s an achievement we should always be talking about,” he added.

GAMBHIR COLLABORATES WITH ABHISHEK ON THE OFF-SPIN GAME

Gambhir also spoke about his work with Abhishek Sharma during the series, particularly the left-hander’s efforts to improve against New Zealand off-spinner Michael Bracewell.

Abhishek struggled with off-spin earlier in the series but showed improvement as the competition progressed. Gambhir has spent considerable time working with the opener in the nets, drawing on his own spin bowling experience during his international career.

The India coach said the batsmen must continue to work on various aspects of their game as opposition teams keep analyzing their strengths and weaknesses.

“Obviously, Abhishek has struggled a bit with off-spin. The more he gets better at that, obviously he’ll become a better player overall. And you want to keep improving because the opposition are always studying you.”

“The way you hit, the way you hit, the speed you hit. So if you improve your game, different areas, if you improve against different pitchers, you’re going to be a step ahead of the opposition.”

“So that’s what I was talking about. Because in the first match when he bowled off-spin, he obviously got a bit tied up. It was just very tactical and technical stuff that we talked about,” Gambhir added.

– The end