India’s recent T20I results have raised questions but head coach Gautam Gambhir believes the team should not be judged harshly because of a few disappointing games.
India suffered back-to-back T20I series defeats against Ireland and England after winning the 2026 T20 World Cup. The loss to Ireland was particularly significant as it was India’s first T20I series defeat since their 2023 tour of the West Indies, which was also the first series loss of Gautam Gambhir’s tenure. It was also India’s first T20I series loss against Ireland. The BCCI also conducted a review of the Ireland tour following the result.
Since then, India have bounced back by defeating Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Japan in seven matches. However, questions about the team’s recent performances have continued.
Gautam Gambhir, while responding to the criticism, highlighted India’s achievements between the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups. He pointed out that India had managed to win another World Cup just 17 months after their previous title and argued that a poor series or a few bad games should not define the team or its players.
The reference to 17 years was significant. India won their second T20 World Cup in 2024 under Rahul Dravid, exactly 17 years after winning the inaugural edition in 2007. They then won their third T20 World Cup in 2026, just 17 months later.
India’s defeats against Ireland and England came around the time Shreyas Iyer was promoted to captain, while 2026 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav was abruptly removed from the leadership role.
Despite the criticism surrounding the team, Gautam Gambhir also praised Shreyas Iyer for putting the team’s requirements ahead of his personal preferences. Gambhir had previously worked with Shreyas Iyer at Kolkata Knight Riders during their title-winning IPL 2024 campaign. According to the coach, one of Shreyas Iyer’s biggest strengths as a leader is his willingness to sacrifice his preferred batting position for the team. Gautam Gambhir stressed that a good leader needs to be selfless, adding that Shreyas Iyer possesses that quality.
The coach’s comments underline his belief that India’s recent setbacks should be viewed in the context of the team’s larger achievements, while also highlighting Shreyas Iyer’s willingness to put the team ahead of individual priorities.
