Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Gambhir says he can manage pressure after India win T20I series
India won its T20I series against New Zealand 3-2, despite losing the final match by seven wickets in Hamilton.
The result marked India’s fourth consecutive T20I series win.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir said the expectations around coaching India are high, and he sometimes feels mentally drained but can manage the pressure.
He said his role is to make decisions he believes are right, even when they are unpopular, and to back players over time.
India had won the first three matches after travelling to New Zealand shortly before the series and having only one day to prepare.
Gambhir is next due to lead India in five ODIs and two Tests against New Zealand.
India secured a 3-2 T20I series win over New Zealand despite losing the fifth and final match by seven wickets in Hamilton.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir said he was strong enough to manage the pressure of the job, though he sometimes felt mentally drained.
Gambhir had overseen 12 series in 2026 and said the packed cricket calendar was challenging.
He said expectations were high when coaching India and that he did not believe in making excuses.
Gambhir praised the team for winning the first three matches after arriving in New Zealand shortly before the opening game.
- Who
- India head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke about the pressure of his role.
- What
- India won the T20I series 3-2, and Gambhir said he could manage the pressure despite sometimes feeling mentally drained.
- When
- November 1, 2026, after the fifth and final T20I.
- Where
- Hamilton, New Zealand.
- Why
- Gambhir was asked about the pressures and workload of coaching India across formats.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gambhir oversaw 12 series as India’s head coach.
The team arrived in New Zealand shortly before the first match in Christchurch.
India won the opening three matches to secure an unassailable series lead.
New Zealand beat India by seven wickets in the fifth T20I in Hamilton, while India finished the series 3-2 winners.
Gambhir discussed the pressure and mental demands of the coaching role at a post-match press conference.
- Series result
- India won 3-2
- Final match
- New Zealand won by seven wickets
- Final match venue
- Hamilton
- Gambhir’s series count in 2026
- 12
- Final match target
- 192 runs
4 sources
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What people are saying
I am strong enough to manage that. I'm strong enough to take it for as long as I can.
My job is to take is to take the right decision, not the popular decision.
In my dictionary, my directory, and my ideology, there is no place for fear, and that word does not exist in my life.
I think a lot of credit needs to go to this side… this is an achievement which I think we should always talk about.