IND vs ENG, T20Is: Top reasons behind Gautam Gambhir's success in the shorter format. What is his winning formula?
Fortunes can change rapidly in world cricket. Just a few weeks ago, India endured one of their worst Test performances, losing six out of eight matches. But now, they have bounced back, extending their unbeaten streak in home T20I series to 17 with a commanding 4-1 win over England. While the squad has transitioned from Tests to ODIs, coach Gautam Gambhir and his staff have experienced both the lows and highs of international cricket in a short span.
Although India's dominance in Test cricket seems to be fading, their T20I success is thriving under Gambhir’s leadership. So, what is working so well for coach Gambhir in the shortest format? Read More: India’s T20I Juggernaut Rolls On: The Secret Behind Their Unstoppable Run
Gambhir’s attitude – Moving on from the past and focusing on the present
Any other coach might have struggled with embarrassment and frustration after India's sudden and drastic decline as a powerhouse in Test cricket. But not Gambhir. He quickly brushed off the setbacks and shifted his focus to the next challenge—the T20I series against England at home. It worked in his favour that the Test and T20I squads were entirely different; meaning the players who secured the 4-1 series win weren’t carrying any baggage from the Test defeats.
This ability to move on is a trait Gambhir has carried from his playing days into his coaching career, and it has served him well. Under his leadership, India showed no signs of being weighed down by their Test losses. Instead, they approached the T20I series with a clinical mindset, delivering dominant performances. Gambhir’s philosophy of letting go of the past worked in the team’s favour, ensuring they didn’t dwell on previous setbacks or become complacent with past successes. The result? A commanding 4-1 series victory over England.
Coaching a hungry and young bunch of players in T20Is
Gambhir had the advantage of working with a young squad for the T20I series against England. These players had already been through the hard grind of domestic cricket and the IPL, developing a deep understanding of their game. Leading this energetic group, Gambhir was able to instil discipline and professionalism while maximising their potential.
He motivated the players to push beyond their limits and embrace an aggressive brand of cricket—an essential trait for success in the shortest format. Following the series win, Gambhir emphasised the team’s fearless approach, stating, “That’s the kind of T20 cricket we want to play. We don’t want to fear losing a game of cricket. We want to play high-risk, high-reward cricket. These guys have adopted that ideology, that policy really well.”
Additionally, the young players understood that no spot in the XI was guaranteed, given the intense competition for places. This helped Gambhir foster a culture of healthy competition, where performance was the only criterion for earning game time. Read More: Home whitewash at the hands of NZ, first BGT loss in 10 years: Time up for Gautam Gambhir in Tests?
Gambhir knows this format well
Since his playing days, Gautam Gambhir has adapted to this format like a fish to water. He has delivered match-winning knocks in T20Is, captained Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, and even mentored his old franchise to IPL glory last season. With a deep understanding of how to win in the shortest format, Gambhir is not afraid to experiment, motivate his players, and provide them with the best platform to succeed.
It’s no surprise that India have thrived in T20Is under his coaching. His ideology has been fully embraced by both his players and the captain. Emphasising the team's fearless approach, Gambhir stated, “Unless and until you don’t play that high-risk cricket, you won’t get those big rewards as well... Come those big tournaments, we still want to continue playing this way, and we don’t want to fear losing anything.”
Having a like-minded squad has helped Gambhir
Coach Gambhir hasn’t had to take the hard route of convincing his players to adopt a high-risk, high-reward style of cricket. He has been fortunate to work with players who naturally embrace this approach. From captain Suryakumar Yadav to Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya, the entire squad has aligned with Gambhir’s mindset of playing fearless and selfless cricket in this format.
This shared vision has allowed Gambhir to call the shots with full backing from the captain, players, and team management. Under his leadership, India’s T20 cricket has flourished, as they have cracked the code for consistent success in the format. There is hope that the confidence gained from beating a strong England side will carry over to other India players when they compete in the longer formats. Read More: First home Test series loss in 12 years: Can Gambhir turn things around?
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