New Delhi: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Sunday hosted the entire T20 World Cup squad for a special dinner at his residence in Delhi ahead of their second Group A match against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 12.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajiv Shukla was also present at Gambhir’s residence. This was the second time that Gambhir had hosted the Indian team for dinner at his residence. He also invited the team to dinner during the Test series against the West Indies in October 2025. He arrived at his residence before the team and welcomed the players and coaches, and was also joined by his wife and kids.
#WATCH | Members of the Indian T20 cricket team arrive at the residence of Indian Cricket Team Head Coach Gautam Gambhir in Delhi.
Gautam Gambhir is hosting a special dinner for the team https://t.co/VQ2symRZ2M pic.twitter.com/tXgiuAwN6D
— ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2026
India start T20 World Cup campaign with victory
India defeated the USA by 29 runs in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 7. The Men in Blue entered the match as favourites, but they were put under pressure by a disciplined USA bowling attack.
They reduced the hosts to 77/6 in 12 overs, but skipper Suryakumar Yadav played a valiant knock, scoring an unbeaten 84 runs off 49 deliveries with the help of 10 boundaries and four maximums. His sensational innings helped India recover to post a competitive 161/9 in 20 overs.
In response, the Indian bowlers delivered a brilliant performance to restrict the USA to 132/8 in 20 overs. Mohammed Siraj, who was playing his first T20I match in 16 months, claimed three wickets, while Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel also picked up two wickets each. After securing the win, the defending champions will next face Namibia in Delhi on February 12.