Ahmedabad, March 9: India's head coach Gautam Gambhir said his focus was never solely on inheriting a successful team, but on building a new identity for the team through fearless and aggressive cricket. This came after India made history, becoming the first team to defend the ICC Men's T20 World Cup title.
Fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah took 4-15 as India became the first team to retain the Men's T20 World Cup title and win the crown for a record third time, in front of 86,824 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
In the last three years, India have won three ICC titles, starting with the 2024 T20 World Cup in Barbados under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid. They then defeated New Zealand to win the Champions Trophy, and on Sunday, they secured the coveted T20 WC title for a record third time.
Reflecting on India's sustained success, Gambhir emphasized that the players aimed to create their own legacy by playing without fear of losing and consistently outperforming opponents – a mindset he believes has helped shape a brand of cricket that the team and the entire country can be proud of.
"I don't believe in inheriting anything. I believe in creating something, and hopefully we have created something that all of you can be proud of – the kind of brand of cricket we have played. It's not only about inheriting a team; it's also about creating something of your own," Gambhir said in the post-match press conference.
"That was always something I wanted to do as a coach – to see if we could play a completely different brand of cricket where people could say that this is a team that has consistently outscored and outbowled the opposition."
Sanju Samson's blistering 89 off 46 balls, with five fours and eight sixes, powered India to 255/5, the highest total in a T20 World Cup final, before Jasprit and Axar Patel (3-27) dismantled New Zealand's top order to seal the victory.
The visitors were dismissed for 159 in 19 overs, with only Tim Seifert offering resistance with a fighting 52.
"This has been a fearless group of players who do not fear losing a game of cricket. We spoke about it many times in the dressing room – the first discussion we always had was that we don't want to fear losing a game of cricket.
"For too long, it was important for us to change that mindset. That's why I say we have created something that everyone in the dressing room can be really proud of, and I'm sure the entire country should be proud of it as well," he said.
