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India head coach Gautam Gambhir laid bare his emotions after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on March 8. Gambhir has been scrutinised for his calls and India facing historic Test series whitewash at home at the hands of New Zealand and South Africa. Gambhir described them as ‘lowest moments of his tenure’ as head coach and thanked International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman and former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah for his support. He also shared the credit of the title win with former head coach Rahul Dravid, Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman and chairman of selection committee, Ajit Agarkar.
"I think first of all I should dedicate this trophy to Rahul [Dravid] bhai, and then to VVS Laxman [bhai]. Because what Rahul bhai has done to keep Indian cricket in such a good shape during his tenure, I have to thank him for everything. And then VVS Laxman for unconditionally doing so much for Indian cricket behind the doors, because the CoE remains the pipeline for Indian cricket. And third is obviously Ajit Agarkar, because he does take a lot of flak, but the amount of honesty he has worked with…,” Gambhir said in the post-match press conference.
"And last but not least, I have to thank Jay [Shah] bhai, because not many people have actually called me when I went through the lowest moments in my tenure, whether it was after New Zealand, whether it was after South Africa, the only person who called me actually was Jay bhai. And I have to thank him for trusting me with this job, because I very well remember this, that when I was given this job, I had no experience of being the head coach of any franchise or any team, but trusting me with this job, so I have to thank these guys. And I think till these guys are there, I think Indian cricket is in very, very safe hands."
What’s next for Gambhir & Co.?
Gambhir has had a good record as a white-ball head coach. Under his tenure, India have won the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20 Asia Cup 2025. His next major white-ball assignment is the ODI World Cup 2027 on South Africa soil next year. Before that, the focus will shift to Test cricket as India need a stellar run to make it to their third World Test Championship (WTC) final.
India’s next series is at home against Afghanistan. After the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, India will play a one-off Test against Afghanistan, followed by a three-ODI series in June.
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