India head coach Gautam Gambhir praised captain Shreyas Iyer after the team secured a 3-2 T20I series victory over New Zealand, despite losing the final two matches.
India established a 3-0 lead in the opening three games before New Zealand won the remaining fixtures. The visitors also faced bowling challenges because Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar were unavailable.
Gambhir said Iyer handled the inexperienced bowling unit exceptionally well, particularly against strong opponents in challenging overseas conditions.
He said, “So, I thought that Shreyas has done a fabulous job with so much inexperience in the bowling lineup because as a captain, you’re only as good as how your bowlers or your batters perform. And especially with an inexperienced attack, I think he’s done a phenomenal job.”
Limited Preparation, Different Conditions
Gambhir also praised the players for adapting quickly after their previous five-match T20I series against the West Indies, which concluded on October 17.
India began the New Zealand series on October 22, leaving the squad with limited preparation time. The players arrived on October 20 and trained the following day.
He described the series victory as an incredible effort, considering the unfamiliar weather, playing conditions and New Zealand’s experience in the format. Several Indian players were also touring the country for the first time.
The head coach defended India’s high-risk, high-reward batting approach, saying the team would continue following its philosophy despite occasional defeats.
Gambhir said the same style had delivered success over the previous two-and-a-half years.
He added that India would maintain its attacking approach across different conditions, whether playing in England, Australia or at home.
He said the team must accept defeats as part of its approach while continuing to pursue aggressive cricket.
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