NEW DELHI: India head coach
Gautam Gambhir has revealed that
Sanju Samson’s match-defining 97 against West Indies proved to be the turning point in India’s triumphant campaign at the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India sealed their third title in the tournament after defeating New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad, completing a memorable campaign on home soil. Reflecting on the journey, Gambhir said Samson’s knock during a tense chase against the West Indies changed the momentum of the entire tournament for India.
“It’s very difficult to say, but I still believe that Sanju’s 97 against West Indies was the turning point of this campaign. It was a virtual quarter-final. Chasing 195 in a World Cup game is never easy, irrespective of the ground,” Gambhir said on JioStar.
According to the former opener, Samson’s calm and controlled approach under pressure lifted the dressing-room mood and gave the squad the belief that the campaign was heading in the right direction.
Team India Report Card: Perfect finish to a not-so-perfect T20 World Cup campaign“With the ease and calmness with which he batted, it gave us a lot of confidence in the group that now we were probably on the right track. When Sanju got going and the way Ishan Kishan batted at number three, a lot of things actually started taking shape,” he added.
Gambhir also described winning a World Cup as India’s head coach as a deeply emotional moment, saying the opportunity to once again contribute to the country in national colours was something he never expected.
“I could have never thought about winning a World Cup as a coach. I never thought I would get the opportunity or privilege to be the head coach of the Indian team because it’s an absolute privilege to again wear the India jersey or do something special for the country,” he said.
Suryakumar Yadav lifts the trophy with Gautam Gambhir as the team members celebrate. (PTI Photo)
The 2011 World Cup winner added that representing India carries a responsibility beyond personal milestones.
“When your mom wishes you and tells you ‘well done’, that’s what you play for and what you live for as well. What bigger feeling is there than making 140 crore Indians proud,” Gambhir said.
Throughout the tournament, Gambhir said he repeatedly reminded the players that a place in the national dressing room is a privilege.
“I’ve always believed that, and I’ve always told the boys as well, that being in that dressing room is a privilege, not an entitlement. Thousands of people would want to be in my position as the head coach of the Indian team, and many would want to be in the position the players are in,” he said.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir with captain Suryakumar Yadav. (Pic credit: BCCI)
He credited India’s success to a fearless, high-impact approach in the shortest format.
“From day one, I had a very strong belief that the T20 format is about impact. It’s not about milestones or individual performances. It’s about going out there and creating an impact, whether it’s on the field, with the ball or with the bat,” Gambhir explained.
The head coach also highlighted the players’ willingness to adapt to different roles during the tournament, pointing out that captain Suryakumar Yadav set the tone by accepting tactical changes for the team’s benefit.
“One thing which will stay with me for the rest of my life is how comfortably the boys accepted different batting positions,” Gambhir said.
From Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube shifting roles in the batting order to Jasprit Bumrah delivering in every phase of the innings, Gambhir said the team’s adaptability was the defining feature of India’s title-winning run.
For the complete match list, venues, and timings, check the full
IPL 2026 schedule, fixtures, and team-wise match dates here.