Gautam Gambhir Calls Sanju Samson’s 97 Vs West Indies the Turning Point Of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 Campaign

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India beat New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad to claim their third ICC Men's T20 World Cup title. India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir spoke on JioStar's 'Follow the Blues’ about the win, the team's aggressive style, key moments, and players accepting flexible roles.

Gautam Gambhir said he never imagined winning a World Cup as a Coach. He called it a privilege to be India Head Coach and to wear the India jersey again. He said making 140 crore Indians proud and receiving his mother's praise meant the most.

Gambhir told the players that being in the India dressing room is a privilege, not an entitlement. He said thousands would want his role and many would want the players' positions. He stressed respect for that chance and for the responsibility that comes with it.

On India's fearless style, Gambhir said the team adopted a high-risk, high-reward approach. He said T20 cricket is about impact, not milestones or individual records. He urged players to focus on each delivery and said one ball can still change a match completely.

Gambhir cited the semi-final against England, where it came down to seven runs and one hit, as an example of small margins. He said the team tried to stay present, ignore past overs, and not think ahead, focusing instead on immediate control and clarity.

He picked Sanju Samson's 97 against West Indies as the turning point. That innings came in a virtual quarter-final while chasing 195. Samson had returned after missing four or five matches before the Zimbabwe game. Gambhir said Samson's calm chase lifted belief within the squad.

Gambhir said the West Indies game eased doubts about India's aggression in ICC events compared with bilaterals. He also praised Ishan Kishan's batting at number three in that match. He felt many things started to take shape for the team after that successful chase.

Gambhir highlighted how players accepted shifting batting roles with ease, starting from the Captain. In the semi-final against England, Shivam was promoted ahead of Suryakumar Yadav, who accepted it. In the final, Hardik moved up and the Captain agreed without concern.

He said Tilak batted from number three down to seven, while Shivam also moved between four and seven. Gambhir called this true team sport. He praised Jasprit Bumrah for bowling with the new ball, in the middle overs, and in tough phases whenever required.