India head coach Gautam Gambhir has said his job is not to make everyone happy, and that he will keep making what he considers the right calls rather than the popular ones amid the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. The Men in Blue have had several selection headaches in the series amid a strong bench, with the likes of Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav struggling for game time, while Vaibhav Suryavanshi also continues to wait behind the likes of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.
The teenage sensation availed a chance to play in the second and third T20I of the series after an injury to Ishan Kishan. However, despite scoring a 19-ball 45 in the stunning run chase in Wellington, he was restored to the bench after the wicket-keeper recovered full fitness. Even with the series wrapped up, Vaibhav Suryavanshi does not feature in the playing XI as India made a few tweaks to the bowling combination for the final T20I in Hamilton.
India captain Shreyas Iyer revealed that Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Chakravarthy make it to the playing XI while Mayank Yadav and Axar Patel sit out.
Gautam Gambhir asserted that the priority is to stick with the right decisions over the popular ones as suggested by fans and pundits as security for players is paramount.
“First of all my job is not to make everyone happy. My job is to take the right decisions, not the popular decisions. And that is what I’m there for. I think sometimes in today’s day and age with so much of social media and all that chatter, what happens on the outside. No, it is very easy to take the popular decision. But for me, I think the important thing is to take the right decision and make sure that there is a lot of security inside the dressing room. Because as you just mentioned that there’s a lot of talent. But again, I think guys have done phenomenally well over a longer period of time. Obviously they deserve a longer rope. And that is exactly how we approach the series,” Gautam Gambhir told broadcasters ahead of the fifth T20I (via Cricbuzz).
India lost the toss for the first time in the series and have been put in to bat first. In Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s absence, the incumbent pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma open the innings against Jacob Duffy with the new ball.
“Got to give it to the boys” – Gautam Gambhir’s massive praise for India players after series win in NZ vs IND 2026 T20Is
India flew to New Zealand right after an engaging home T20I series against West Indies and had only one full practice session before the opener. They chased 226 to win at Hagley Oval in Christchurch by four wickets, while Tilak Varma stepped up with an iconic knock in the second match, before the series was sealed in Wellington. In the third T20I, Abhishek Sharma and Suryavanshi added 133 for the first wicket in a chase of 199 completed in 13.2 overs, recording complete domination of the highest order.
Gautam Gambhir praised the squad’s ability to adapt quickly to the conditions and the time zone as India secured their third consecutive T20I series win on New Zealand soil.
“Obviously it’s been a very short turnaround as well. We finished off on the 17th, flew on the 18th. Obviously we had one practice session. Got to give it to the boys, the way they adapted to the conditions. Obviously a lot of boys are coming here for the first time. And we all know how dangerous New Zealand is in their own backyard. So again, obviously guys adapted really well in the last four T20s”
India are also scheduled to play five ODIs and two Tests after the T20I series concludes on Sunday, November 1.
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Edited by Gokul Nair
