While dedicating India’s victorious T20 World Cup title to former stalwarts Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir said on Sunday that he is only answerable to the players in the dressing room.
India became the first team to win three T20 World Cups (2007, 2024, and 2026), the first to defend their championship, and the first to do so at home after defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the summit clash.
But even during his hour of glory, Gambhir remembered Dravid, who was the head coach when India won the title last time in 2024 and Laxman, the current president of the BCCI Center of Excellence.
“I would dedicate this trophy to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. To Rahul bhai for putting Indian team in a place and Laxman for creating pipeline at CoE,” PTI quoted Gambhir as saying during the post-match press conference.
“My accountability is not for people on Social Media. My accountability is to those 30 people in that change room. A coach is as good as his team. Players made me the coach I am,” Gambhir added.
The former India opener also expressed gratitude to Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary and current ICC chairman, as well as chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
“Ajit Agarkar, who took a lot of flak and worked with a lot of honesty. And to Jay bhai. During my lowest ebb in my tenure after losing to NZ and then SA (at home in Test series in 2024 and 2025), he called me,” he noted.
After putting on a spectacular batting display to score a huge 255/5, India defeated New Zealand by bundling them out for 159.
“We have to let go fear of losing. Rather than playing conservative cricket, getting out for 120 is okay. The hallmark has been bravery and showing courage to score 250 in semis and finals,” Gambhir said.
Suryakumar Yadav, the captain, was commended by the head coach for collaborating with him.
“Surya made my job easier. He has been a leader who is a father figure. Bigger purpose is to celebrate trophies not milestone. For too many years we have celebrated milestones. I will urge you people to stop celebrating personal milestones,” Gambhir reiterated.
Suryakumar supported what Gambhir had said.
“I played 4 years under GG’s captaincy (for Kolkata Knight Riders). We have never had arguments as common goal was how team can win. Our friendship was set. He walked 2 steps and I walked 2 steps,” said Suryakumar, while adding that the team’s next goal is to win gold at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
He added, “I can’t say this is India’s white ball era. Had it been our white ball era, we wouldn’t have lost last two of the last three ODI series. I have picked teams based on faith and trust. I have never ever picked a team based on hope.”
India’s top order went on a six-hitting rampage to leave the New Zealand bowlers stunned in the title match, amassing an overwhelming total thanks to a scorching 89 from Sanju Samson and explosive half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma (52) and Ishan Kishan (54).
Jasprit Bumrah (4/15 in four overs) was outstanding with the ball, and Axar Patel (3/27) also made an impression as India defeated the Kiwis.
