India’s coach Gautam Gambhir, right, and BCCI Senior Men’s Selection Committee Chairman Ajit Agarkar during a training session on the eve of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final on March 7, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Gautam Gambhir said he relies primarily on his instinct when making decisions as a coach, stressing that he backs his judgement without depending heavily on data.
Gambhir noted that every leader brings a unique vision and his approach on how the Indian team plays, conducts itself and operates reflects his personal philosophy during his tenure. “I think my instinct is what I trust the most. I don’t look at data, I don’t look at anything else. If my instinct says that it is the right call for the team, I will back it to the hilt. If it doesn’t work, I’ll be the first one to put my hand up and say, yes, it didn’t work.”
““Everyone has different ways of looking at things. My idea, with me being the head coach now, is my vision for the team. It could be completely different to someone who has run the show before me or some one who will run the show after me,” said Gambhir.
No tailoring pitches
Gambhir dismissed the criticism that Indian wickets were ‘tailored’ to suit the home team, asserting that such claims are often made to create controversy and attract views. “I don’t agree to that. Why would you tailor something? And honestly, India is too good a team to be even thinking about something like that and in the T20 format, whether you look in Australia or South Africa, we made 200 runs. If we make 200 runs in India, then the wickets get tailored.”
“I think some people want to create a controversy. That’s why I say, the statements given for views and TRPs should not be acceptable,” he added.
“In ICC tournaments, they control the wickets. It’s not the BCCI that controls the wickets, and in bilaterals, especially in the T20 format, it is a batter’s game. No one wants to come and watch a 120-run T20 game. Everyone wants to watch that high-scoring game.”
Gambhir lauded Suryakumar Yadav as a ‘phenomenal leader’. “I think he’s made my life a lot easier in this format because the way he keeps the atmosphere really light, handles the boys and has conversations with them, I think that is fantastic quality to have because then some one like me can focus on the tactical things.”
“Surya and I worked together for a long time when I was captain with KKR, and he was the vice captain. So I know how he operates,” he said.
Published – March 12, 2026 03:39 am IST
