'Built as a Team. Won as a Team': Gambhir's strong message after series win

India head coach Gautam Gambhir underlined the importance of collective effort after India clinched the five-match T20I series against New Zealand 3-2, taking to social media to share a short but emphatic message following the team's series triumph. “Built as a Team. Won as a Team. Always for India,” Gambhir wrote on X after India sealed the series despite losing the fifth and final T20I by seven wickets at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday. India had taken an unassailable 3-0 lead by winning the first three matches, but New Zealand fought back to claim the final two encounters. The hosts' victory in Hamilton, however, was not enough to prevent India from securing the series. Gambhir's post came after he had spoken about the team's approach to pressure at the post-series press conference, making it clear that he wanted his players to embrace challenging situations rather than be intimidated by them.

'There is no word like dar in my dictionary'

"There is no word like “dar” (fear) in my dictionary and directory," Gambhir said, highlighting the mindset he expects from the players. The India head coach also praised the team's response in the opening match, pointing to the difficult circumstances under which they began the series. “The way our boys handled pressure, winning the first game after a 15-hour flight and one practice session was commendable,” he said. India's ability to win that opening encounter and build momentum through the first three matches proved decisive in securing the series, even as New Zealand finished strongly with back-to-back victories.

New Zealand finish with a seven-wicket win

In the fifth T20I, India posted 191/8 after recovering from 19/2. Ishan Kishan led the recovery with 61 off 32 balls, while captain Shreyas Iyer contributed 50 off 23 deliveries. Naman Dhir added 33 off 23 balls, and Nitish Kumar Reddy made 22 off 17. Adam Milne was New Zealand's standout bowler, taking four wickets for 19 runs. The hosts chased down the target in 18 overs, winning by seven wickets. Tim Seifert smashed 93 off 50 balls, while Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 65 off 38 deliveries. The pair added 86 runs for the third wicket to put New Zealand firmly in control. Despite the defeat in the final match, India walked away with the series 3-2. Gambhir's message captured the approach he wanted to highlight: the achievement belonged to the team as a whole, rather than individual performances.