"In my dictionary, there is no place for fear" - Gautam Gambhir after NZ vs IND 2026 T20I series

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that the word 'fear' does not exist in his dictionary. Admitting that there have been times when he has felt mentally drained, he asserted that he is good enough to handle pressure.

Gambhir addressed the press after the fifth T20I against New Zealand at the Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday, November 1. The Black Caps beat India by seven wickets in the match. Chasing a target of 192, they cruised home in 18 overs. India, however, won the series 3-2.

Speaking after the series, Gambhir reflected on his mindset as a coach and the challenges that he has been facing. He commented (via Revsport)

“In my dictionary, there is no place for fear, and that word does not exist in my life. I think we are professionals, and I’ve always believed that there are no excuses. Yes, I have [felt mentally drained], to be honest, but I am strong enough to manage that. I’m strong enough to take it… that I can take the pressure, I can take the bullet."

Gambhir went on to hail India for the T20I series win, pointing out that they had only one day to prepare. He elaborated:

“Look, first of all, obviously it’s an incredible effort because what…the boys got only one day to prepare. They arrived on the 20th; we practiced on the 21st. Different conditions, different weather conditions, different dimensions, playing against a quality side like New Zealand in their own backyard with the amount of experience they had in T20 cricket, plus most of the boys touring New Zealand for the first time.”

India won the first three matches of the T20I series, but lost the last two.

Gambhir reflects on major takeaways from T20I series win

Looking back at the T20I series, Gambhir picked India's handling of the conditions and the team's ruthless approach as the major positives. He stated:

“Look, biggest achievement I’ve already said that I think these boys, apart from winning, I think how they’ve handled the conditions and how ruthless they were in the first three games, especially when you’re chasing 220, we were down and out, three young boys got us across the line. And then chasing 199 in what, 14 overs? And then winning the first game after one practice session. So that is—that is what is called ruthlessness.”

The Indian coach also went on to praise skipper Shreyas Iyer for the manner in which he led a relatively inexperienced bowling attack minus Jasprit Bumrah. Gambhir commented:

“So, I thought that Shreyas has done a fabulous job with so much of inexperience in their 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.”

Following the T20I series, India and New Zealand will now meet in a five-match ODI series starting November 4.

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