Gautam Gambhir, the new head coach, has outlined his vision for the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Following a dominant performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, India has continued its impressive run in the shortest format under Gambhir’s guidance, securing numerous series wins. Gambhir emphasizes adaptability and evolution as critical for T20 cricket success.
He believes a flexible batting order, beyond just the openers, is vital. “The batting orders are very overrated, except the openers obviously,” Gambhir stated. “Two openers are permanent, rest I think everything shuffles because it’s not the amount of runs that matter in T20I cricket, it’s the impact that matters.” The focus, he explained, is on the team’s collective impact and ability to create it in various situations, rather than individual statistics like averages and strike rates.
Gambhir stressed the need for coaches and players to stay ahead of the game’s evolution. “T20 cricket will evolve, and as coaches if we don’t evolve, we will be behind the eight ball,” he remarked. He wants the Indian team to be fearless yet smart, embracing a high-risk, high-reward approach. The coach also highlighted the significant all-round advantage the team possesses with players like Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, who offer crucial balance and batting depth, making them valuable assets across different conditions.