Stay humble: Coach Gambhir sends subtle message after Indian attack in Wellington T20I

India head coach Gautam Gambhir had a simple message for his players after them hammered New Zealand in the third T20I took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-game series in Wellington on Tuesday.

“Stay humble,” Gambhir wrote on social media, sharing a photo of the Indian team huddled together at the Hnry Stadium.

India have every reason to celebrate after their record performance, but Gambhir’s message could also serve as a reminder that the tour is far from over. Two T20Is remain, followed by a five-match ODI series and a two-Test assignment, with each leg presenting a different challenge for the visitors.

India enjoyed success in New Zealand in the shortest format earlier but struggled when the action shifted to other formats. During their 2020 tour, India won the T20I series 5–0 but were swept 3–0 in the ODIs. In 2022, they won the T20I series 1–0 while the ODI series ended 1–0 in favor of New Zealand. The results highlight the need for India to maintain intensity beyond the current streak. Screengrab by X

The ODI leg, which begins in Auckland on November 4, will be particularly important as India prepares for the 2027 World Cup. Veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be the focus as the team looks to refine their combinations and address any remaining concerns in the 50-over format. The five-game series will provide a valuable opportunity to test the team in tough conditions away from home.

The two-Test series, which begins on November 19, has even greater significance in the context of the Test World Cup. India are currently fifth in the 2025-27 rankings with a points percentage of 51.52, while New Zealand are second with 72.22. With only the top two teams qualifying for the finals, India cannot afford to waste opportunities in the remaining fixtures. A strong performance in New Zealand would help boost their bid for a place in the title decider.

For now, however, the Indian camp can bask in the glow of a remarkable T20I series win. Chasing down New Zealand’s 198 for three in just 13.2 overs, India won by six wickets and left the hosts with little chance to recover.

Abhishek Sharma was the star of the show as he smashed 113 off just 38 balls. He reached his century in 35 deliveries and hit 11 sixes and nine fours in a breathtaking display of power. Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided the perfect foil as he smashed 45 off 19 balls as the pair added 133 runs for the opening wicket.

The duo also guided India to 118 runs in the first six overs, setting a new record for the highest powerplay total in a men’s T20I. India raced to 50 in just 2.2 overs and brought up their hundred in five, making the target of 199 a one-sided chase.

New Zealand had earlier relied on Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 89 off 52 balls to post a competitive total, but India’s explosive start made it fall short. The visitors completed the chase in 40 balls and sealed the series with two ma

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