Gambhir reveals key behind India's T20 World Cup success

India coach Gautam Gambhir has revealed the fearless plan that helped deliver an unprecedented third title for his country at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Gambhir's side won their second T20 World Cup in succession and third overall with a commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday, delivering the India coach his second consecutive major title following their victory in the ICC Champions Trophy event last year.

For Gambhir it also meant he became the first person to win a Men's T20 World Cup as a player (2007) and coach (2026), with the former India batter revealing post-match the key ingredient behind the side's success.

"The plan was very simple as I am a different kind of character. Every person sees cricket differently. It’s not fair to compare what kind of a team I have made – I always believe that high risk, high reward is the only way to play a T20 format, and you don’t fear to lose a game of cricket to win a game of cricket," Gambhir said.

"If you start fearing to lose a game of cricket, you will never win. And that's why, as I said earlier, my ideology with the captain was very simple. We will not play a match of 160-170. I would rather accept that we get all out at 100, but that 150-160 takes you nowhere.

"So if you play high risk, that's when you make 250 or 260 runs. And there will be days like that and it can come in the future. And they have come. We lost a match against South Africa by 100 runs - but that ideology never changed. That mindset never changed. I never thought, that now let's play a little subdued. Because after South Africa, all our matches were must-win matches. All were knockout matches. But despite that, if you play that kind of cricket, that's when you give yourself the best chance to win big tournaments."

While Gambhir will claim much of the credit for India's recent success, the coach also thanks his current coaching crop and predecessors for the role they played in the triumph.

Gambhir singled out former coach Rahul Dravid for his support, while also made mention of head of cricket at the Centre of Excellence VVS Laxman and selection chair Ajit Agarkar.

"Look, first of all, I think I should dedicate this trophy to Rahul Bhai and then to Laxman," Gambhir said.

"Because what Rahul Bhai has done to keep Indian cricket in such a good shape, I have to thank him for everything what he's done during his tenure.

"And then VVS Laxman for unconditionally doing so much for Indian cricket, especially behind the doors, because COE remains the pipeline for Indian cricket.

"And third is obviously Ajit Agarkar, because he does take a lot of flak and the amount of honesty he's worked with."

Gambhir also suggested former BCCI Secretary and current ICC Chairman Jay Shah had played a major role in his rise to the top, having backed him in the role when Dravid departed in 2024.

"And last but not the least, I have to thank Jay Shah, because not many people have actually called me when I've gone through the lowest moments in my tenure, whether it was after New Zealand, whether it was after South Africa, the only person who called me actually was Jay Bhai," Gambhir added.

"And I had to thank him for trusting me with this job, because I very well remember this, that when I was given this job, I had no experience of being the head coach of any franchise or any team, but trusting me for this job, so I had to thank these guys."

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