Gambhir says job is to take right decisions, not popular ones

India head coach Gautam Gambhir said his responsibility is to take the right decisions rather than popular ones, as debate continues over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's limited opportunities. Speaking ahead of the fifth T20I against New Zealand in Hamilton on Sunday, 1 November, Gambhir said social media makes popular choices easy, but he prioritises team interests and dressing-room security.

Sooryavanshi, who scored 49 runs in two T20Is in New Zealand including a 45 off 19 balls, was dropped after two games and did not play in the previous series against West Indies. Gambhir said the team will continue backing the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, who have performed consistently over a longer period.

India have secured an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Gambhir praised the players for adapting quickly despite a short turnaround: they finished a West Indies series on 17 October, flew on 18 October and had only one practice session before the first match on 22 October.

Update, 1 November 2026: CNBC TV18 now also reports Gambhir's remarks, adding that he said there are no dead rubbers in his philosophy. It notes that Samson and Abhishek were instrumental in India's T20 World Cup title defence earlier in 2026, strengthening their position as the preferred opening combination.