Following India’s 2-1 T20I series win over Australia, head coach Gautam Gambhir admitted that his team is not yet ready for next year’s T20 World Cup. With 10 T20Is left before the tournament in early 2026—five against South Africa and another five against New Zealand—Gambhir expressed the need for improvement.
“We’re still not where we want to be in three months’ time. The bigger picture is not just the series, but the World Cup,” Gambhir told BCCI.TV. “So, by the time the World Cup arrives, we want to be in a space where we are fully prepared.”
Fitness was a key focus for the coach, who outlined his expectations for the players. “From a fitness perspective, we still aren’t where we need to be before the T20 World Cup. This is something we’ve discussed with the players as well. We want to be sharp, fit, and able to move quickly. The fitter we are, the stronger we will be mentally. In pressure situations, being physically strong helps us maintain mental resilience,” he added. “We still have three months to reach where we want to be.”
Gambhir also addressed the ongoing fluidity in India’s batting order. “This has been our approach from day one,” he said. “While two openers are fixed, everything else shuffles. In T20 cricket, it’s not about the number of runs, but about the impact. Each ball is an event. We want to maximise that impact. That’s why our batting order remains fluid; it’s not about averages or strike rates.”
On India’s bowling strategy, Gambhir highlighted the use of Jasprit Bumrah in the PowerPlay, describing it as a “more aggressive” move. “A lot of people see us as an aggressive batting side, but using Bumrah for three overs in the first six is an equally aggressive tactic with the ball. We want to be aggressive all-round, not just in batting. It worked well for us in the Asia Cup, as Bumrah helped us win the PowerPlay, and with Varun and Kuldeep in the middle overs, we could take wickets throughout the innings.”
Shivam Dube has been another player who has benefitted from Gambhir’s “push in the deep end” approach. Dube has excelled as a bowler, even taking the new ball in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, where he conceded just 12 runs in his two PowerPlay overs. Gambhir praised Dube’s development, saying, “When you put players under extreme pressure, you see what they’re truly capable of. Shivam proved that in the Asia Cup, where he bowled critical overs under pressure.”
Abhishek Sharma’s attacking mindset at the top of the order has been praised for its freedom, with Gambhir insisting that every player is encouraged to play with the same aggressive intent. “We’ve given freedom to everyone in the team, not just Abhishek. The key is high-risk, high-reward cricket. We want players to express themselves without the fear of making mistakes, because the more you fear failure, the more mistakes you’ll make.”
Gambhir also acknowledged the challenge of leaving quality players out of the XI, given the team’s depth. “The toughest job for me is having conversations with players who aren’t playing. We have so much quality on the bench, and it’s hard to leave people out, but ultimately, it’s about picking the best combination for that day.”
“I think clear, honest communication is crucial in these situations,” Gambhir continued. “Sometimes those conversations are tough, but if you’re honest and straightforward, the players understand. It’s about being transparent and having the right communication between the coach and the players.”
As the T20 World Cup approaches, Gambhir is determined to ensure India is both physically fit and mentally sharp to contend for the title.