Gambhir reflected on the emotional significance of winning a World Cup as India\u2019s head coach, describing it as a privilege to contribute to the country once again in national colours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI could have never thought about winning a World Cup as a coach. I never thought I would get the opportunity or privilege to be the head coach of the Indian team because it\u2019s an absolute privilege to again wear the India jersey or do something special for the country,\u201d Gambhir said on JioStar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The former India opener emphasised the emotional connection to representing the nation, adding that recognition from family and the pride of millions of fans made the achievement even more special. \u201cWhen your mom wishes you and tells you \u2018well done\u2019, that\u2019s what you play for and what you live for as well. What bigger feeling is there than making 140 crore Indians proud,\u201d he said. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gambhir also reiterated a message he consistently delivered to the squad throughout the tournament \u2014 that representing India is a privilege rather than an entitlement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always believed that, and I\u2019ve always told the boys as well, that being in that dressing room is a privilege, not an entitlement. Thousands of people would want to be in my position as the head coach of the Indian team, and many would want to be in the position the players are in,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to Gambhir, India\u2019s success was built not just on results but on the fearless approach the players adopted during the tournament. He also explained that the team\u2019s focus was on creating impact rather than chasing individual milestones.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think more than the win, it was the way the boys adapted to the ideology and philosophy of being high-risk, high-reward. From day one, I had a very strong belief that the T20 format is about impact. It\u2019s not about milestones or individual performances. It\u2019s about going out there and creating an impact, whether it\u2019s on the field, with the ball or with the bat,\u201d Gambhir noted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also stressed the importance of staying in the present moment during the shortest game format. \u201cThe simple ideology throughout this World Cup was that if we could stay in the present and try to control each delivery. Whatever has gone will never come back, and you cannot control what\u2019s going to come in the future. Even if you get hit for five sixes, the next delivery could be the game-changing moment,\u201d he stated. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
While several performances shaped India\u2019s campaign, Gambhir singled out Samson\u2019s innings against the West Indies as the defining moment and pointed out that the match effectively served as a knockout fixture for India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very difficult to say, but I still believe that Sanju\u2019s 97 against West Indies was the turning point of this campaign. It was a virtual quarter-final. Chasing 195 in a World Cup game is never easy, irrespective of the ground,\u201d Gambhir explained.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Samson\u2019s calm approach, he said, changed the mood in the dressing room and praised Ishan Kishan for his contribution during the chase.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWith the ease and calmness with which he batted, it gave us a lot of confidence in the group that now we were probably on the right track. When Sanju got going and the way Ishan Kishan batted at number three, a lot of things actually started taking shape,\u201d Gambhir added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Another factor behind India\u2019s success, Gambhir said, was the players\u2019 willingness to adapt to different roles and batting positions throughout the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOne thing which will stay with me for the rest of my life is how comfortably the boys accepted different batting positions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The coach highlighted that the flexibility began with captain Hardik Pandya, who was willing to adjust his role to meet the team\u2019s needs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAgainst England in the semi-final, Shivam got promoted, and Surya was absolutely fine with it. In the final, Hardik was promoted and the captain was fine with it,\u201d Gambhir said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also cited examples of players such as Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube batting across multiple positions depending on the situation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTilak started at number three, then batted at five, six and even seven, and the same with Shivam, who batted from number four to seven. That is what team sport is all about,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gambhir also reserved special praise for India\u2019s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who played multiple roles with the ball throughout the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTilak started at number three, then batted at five, six and even seven, and the same with Shivam, who batted from number four to seven. That is what team sport is all about,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to the head coach, it was this combination of fearless cricket, adaptability and key performances that ultimately powered India to a historic T20 World Cup triumph on home soil.<\/p>\r\n\r\n