Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has lauded Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir following India’s successful outing in the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Despite a setback in the fourth match, India sealed the series early with commanding performances in the opening three games. India’s aggressive brand of cricket was on full display as Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates stormed to a 3–0 lead.
Although the hosts suffered a heavy 50-run defeat in the fourth T20I, the result did little to overshadow India’s remarkable consistency in T20Is under Gambhir’s leadership. He pointed out that India look far more settled and confident in T20 cricket compared to the longer formats, and the rise he largely attributes to Gambhir’s influence as head coach.
"Gautam Gambhir deserves credit. When we don’t hesitate to criticise, then why hesitate to praise. I’m talking about India’s T20 batting approach. That approach is not the future, it’s reality. We have understood it late. The formula was the same. There are 11 players and 20 overs and this is what you can achieve if played fearlessly. India weren’t able to do it before," Chopra said in a video uploaded on 'X'.
This series victory marks India’s ninth consecutive T20I series win since Gambhir assumed the coaching role. This achievement is more noticeable in light of the contrasting struggles India have faced in ODIs and Tests over the same period.
"Even now, ODI and T20I series takes place. New Zealand’s bowling unit hasn’t changed but India’s approach changed. The moment we started dominating and decimating, we broke the opposition’s resolve. Now they are saying, even 300 might not be enough because this team is different," Chopra said.