New Delhi: India head coach has urged the Indian players to stay fit and continue their preparations as the T20I squad heads for a month-long break after the conclusion of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
India won the series 3-2 despite losing the last two T20Is against the Kiwis.
India made a strong start in the series, winning the first three games in a row to seal the series. The visitors fought back to win the last two matches and end the five-match rubber on a high. Gambhir lauded the players for their efforts, given the limited time they got for preparations.
India landed in for the five-match T20I series immediately after playing a T20I series against West Indies at home. They got little time to acclimatise to unfamiliar conditions but did well to win the series 3-2.
‘You can be extremely proud of the effort that you guys have put in throughout the series. Winning the series, especially when you had just one day to prepare and were playing against a quality team like New Zealand in their own backyard, is a terrific achievement. You should be extremely proud,’ Gambhir told the players in the dressing room in a video shared by the BCCI.
India faced some challenges during the series, as wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan got injured in the opener and missed the next two matches. India’s bowling attack also looked inexperienced in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, with Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav playing for the first time in New Zealand.
Despite the challenges that came their way, India emerged triumphant in the series and secured a stunning away victory. Gambhir said the T20I team’s job was to set the tone for the remainder of the tour, and the onus is now on the ODI and Test teams to carry it forward.
‘You can go back with your heads held high. We wanted to win the last two games as well, but sometimes these things happen. I thought you guys have set the tone for the rest of the tour. Before the start of the series, I said that you had the responsibility to set the tone. Now, it is up to the ODI and Test teams to continue from where you have left off,’ Gambhir added.
Stay in shape, prepare well: Gambhir’s parting message
Gambhir also delivered a parting message for the T20I squad while addressing them in the dressing room. The India head coach advised the players to stay in shape and continue their preparations for their next T20I assignment against Sri Lanka.
The players will have a month-long break before they return to action in T20Is in the Sri Lanka series in December. Gambhir insisted that the break should not mean a dip in fitness as he urged his players to continue their preparations at home.
‘We know that we don’t play enough T20 cricket, and we’ve got a month off now. So, make sure we stay in shape and prepare well for Sri Lanka,’ said the India head coach.
‘We can’t take any opposition lightly. We have to continue growing as a team, thinking as a team and playing as a team,’ he added.