Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir admitted that there is no place for fear in his dictionary, adding that there were times when he was mentally drained, but he is strong enough to manage that.
Speaking at the post-series press conference after India’s 3-2 T20I series win over New Zealand, Gambhir hailed the young Indian T20I side for creating an impact despite the hectic travelling and cricketing schedule.
“In my dictionary, there is no place for fear, and that word does not exist in my life. I think we are professionals, and I’ve always believed that there are no excuses. Yes, I have [felt mentally drained], to be honest, but I am strong enough to manage that. I’m strong enough to take it… that I can take the pressure, I can take the bullet,” Gambhir said in the post-series press conference.
“Look, first of all, obviously it’s an incredible effort because what…the boys got only one day to prepare. They arrived on the 20th; we practiced on the 21st. Different conditions, different weather conditions, different dimensions, playing against a quality side like New Zealand in their own backyard with the amount of experience they had in T20 cricket, plus most of the boys touring New Zealand for the first time,” he added.
Further, Gambhir called the Indian T20I side ruthless for their ability to adapt to the foreign conditions in no time. Interestingly, India arrived in New Zealand just two days before the start of the series and had only one practice session before playing the first T20I in Christchurch.
“Look, biggest achievement I’ve already said that I think these boys, apart from winning, I think how they’ve handled the conditions and how ruthless they were in the first three games, especially when you’re chasing 220, we were down and out, three young boys got us across the line. And then chasing 199 in what, 14 overs? And then winning the first game after one practice session. So that is—that is what is called ruthlessness,” he concluded.
