- ‘We must not take any opponent lightly’ – Gambhir’s message to India after New Zealand tour India secured a 3-2 series win over New Zealand in the five-match T20I competition, with Gautam Gambhir reflecting on the team’s efforts and preparation for the upcoming campaign.
- ‘We must not take any opponent lightly’ – Gambhir’s message to India after New Zealand tour (Photo: BCCI) India registered a 3-2 win in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand after winning the first three games to take an unassailable lead.
- The last meeting was at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1, 2026, where the touring team suffered a seven-wicket defeat.
‘We must not take any opponent lightly’ – Gambhir’s message to India after New Zealand tour India secured a 3-2 series win over New Zealand in the five-match T20I competition, with Gautam Gambhir reflecting on the team’s efforts and preparation for the upcoming campaign.
‘We must not take any opponent lightly’ – Gambhir’s message to India after New Zealand tour (Photo: BCCI) India registered a 3-2 win in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand after winning the first three games to take an unassailable lead. The last meeting was at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1, 2026, where the touring team suffered a seven-wicket defeat. Despite the defeat in the fifth T20I, the series result marked a significant achievement for India, who had minimal preparation time before the start of the competition and were playing at home against quality opposition.
Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, addressed the team after the conclusion of the series and preciated the obstacles the team had overcome during the tour. The Indian team struggled with injury problems as Ishan Kishan missed two matches due to fitness issues. Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav gained valuable international experience during the tour and faced competition in New Zealand for the first time.
“You should be very proud of the efforts you have put in over the course of the series. Winning the series, especially when you only had a day to prepare and were playing at home against a top team like New Zealand, is a huge achievement. You should be extremely proud,” Gambhir said in a video released by the BCCI.
Gambhir praises the team’s efforts during the dressing room speech. Gambhir stressed the responsibility that lies with the T20I team to build momentum for the rest of the tour, with the ODI and Test teams expected to follow in later assignments. He reflected on the strategic importance of the series and acknowledged the players’ contribution to the tour’s overall strategy. “You can walk with your head held high.
We wanted to win the last two games too, but sometimes things like that hpen. I thought you set the tone for the rest of the tour. Before the show started, I said that you are responsible for setting the tone.
Now it is up to the ODI and Test teams to pick up where you left off,” Gambhir said. The team faces about a month-long absence from international T20 cricket before regrouping for the next mission. Gambhir stressed the importance of staying fit during this break as the team prepares for upcoming commitments.
“We know we don’t play enough T20 cricket and now we have a month off. So make sure we stay on board and prepare well for Sri Lanka,” Gambhir said. The Indian T20I team will return home and focus on the ODI and Test series against New Zealand.
In December, the team will regroup for a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, marking the next phase of international cricket for this format. Gambhir concluded his message to the team by emphasizing the need for continued growth and resilience going forward. He warned against complacency and stressed the importance of maintaining standards in all future competitions.
“We cannot take any resistance lightly. We have to continue to grow as a team, think as a team and play as a team,” Gambhir said.
