India arrived in New Zealand with just 24 hours to prepare for the opening T20I in Christchurch. Despite the lack of preparation and several players experiencing New Zealand conditions for the first time, the visitors made an impressive start by winning the first three matches in succession.
Speaking at the post-match press conference in Hamilton after New Zealand won the fifth T20I, Gambhir highlighted the team's fearless approach and ability to perform under pressure.
He particularly praised India's successful chase of 226 in the opening match and their ability to chase down 199 in less than 14 overs in the second T20I, despite having completed just one practice session before the series.
Gambhir described the team's approach as ruthless and said handling unfamiliar conditions was one of the biggest achievements of the tour.
The head coach also acknowledged that India could not maintain their winning momentum in the final two matches but insisted that the team's aggressive philosophy would remain unchanged.
He explained that India's playing style over the last two to two-and-a-half years has been based on a high-risk, high-reward approach, adding that occasional defeats, including one-sided losses, would not force the team to change its ideology.
Gambhir also pointed out that results often dominate discussions surrounding Indian cricket, with little attention given to preparation challenges. He said his responsibility was to prepare players, share his experience of playing in New Zealand and ensure they remained confident and aggressive.
Gambhir backs Shreyas Iyer's captaincy
Gambhir also praised Shreyas Iyer's leadership, highlighting the challenges he faced after taking charge of a highly successful Indian T20I side.
Under Iyer, India have now registered three bilateral T20I series victories after beginning his captaincy tenure with two series defeats. The team has also beaten Japan in a one-off T20I and secured gold at the Asian Games.
According to Gambhir, Iyer inherited a team that had won the T20 World Cup and remained unbeaten in bilateral series for nearly two years, making the transition particularly challenging.
He explained that India had provided opportunities to several young players after the World Cup, resulting in a relatively inexperienced squad, particularly in overseas conditions such as England and New Zealand.
Gambhir described this phase as an important part of India's preparation for the next T20 World Cup, stressing the need to develop young players by giving them opportunities on overseas tours.
He also praised Iyer for managing an inexperienced bowling attack, saying the captain had done an outstanding job despite having limited experience available in the squad.
Gambhir highlights Abhishek Sharma's weakness against off-spin
Meanwhile, Gambhir also discussed Abhishek Sharma's struggles against off-spin bowling, admitting that the left-handed opener needs to improve this aspect of his game.
The Indian head coach explained that opposition teams are increasingly studying Abhishek's batting patterns, scoring methods and attacking approach, making it important for him to develop solutions against different types of bowling.
Gambhir revealed that he had discussed the issue with Abhishek, particularly his difficulties against off-spinners and left-arm spinners who attempt to restrict his scoring options.
He believes improving against these bowling variations will make Abhishek a more complete batter and help him stay ahead of opposition strategies.
India's 3-2 series victory has provided another positive result for the team under Iyer's leadership. With the next T20 World Cup in focus, Gambhir's emphasis remains on developing young players, maintaining an aggressive approach and building a squad capable of performing in challenging conditions.
