Indian cricket celebrated a historic moment in Ahmedabad as the team defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium. With this victory, India became the first team to win two consecutive T20 World Cup titles, achieving the feat on the home soil.
The triumph was also special for head coach Gautam Gambhir who became the only cricketer to win the T20 World Cup both as a player and as a coach. Despite the milestone, Gambhir chose to highlight the contributions of several key figures who helped shape the team’s success.
Speaking after the match, Gautam Gambhir said he would like to dedicate the victory to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, acknowledging the work they did in strengthening Indian cricket. He credited Dravid for building a strong foundation for the national team and praised Laxman for developing a solid pipeline of young talent through the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
The coach also recognised the role of India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar, saying that he remained committed to his job even while facing criticism. Gambhir further mentioned Jay Shah, recalling how he received encouragement and support during a difficult phase earlier in his tenure when India had suffered losses against New Zealand and South Africa in Test series at home.
Gautam Gambhir also made it clear that he does not worry about criticism on social media and believes his responsibility is towards the people inside the dressing room. According to him, a coach’s success depends largely on the players and he credited the squad for helping him grow in his role.
India’s performance in the final reflected the fearless style of cricket the team has been trying to play. The batting unit produced a powerful display to score 255 for five, putting New Zealand under immense pressure. The bowlers then completed the job by dismissing the opposition for 159, sealing a comfortable victory.
Gautam Gambhir explained that the team’s approach is to play with courage rather than fear, even if it means taking risks. He emphasised that the players have focused on attacking cricket and showing the confidence to post big totals in crucial matches like the semifinal and the final.
The head coach also praised captain Suryakumar Yadav, saying that the skipper made his job easier with his leadership and support. Gautam Gambhir highlighted that the team’s focus should always be on winning trophies rather than celebrating individual milestones.
India’s dominant performance in the final capped off a remarkable campaign, with the team once again proving its strength in the T20 format and adding another memorable chapter to the country’s cricket history.
