New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India, has acknowledged that Sanju Samson’s pivotal 97 runs against the West Indies marked a significant turning point in India’s successful journey at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. This tournament culminated with the hosts claiming their third title by defeating New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

Reflecting on the profound emotional weight of securing a World Cup as India’s head coach, Gambhir expressed his gratitude for the chance to once again serve his nation in a significant capacity.

“Never did I imagine winning a World Cup as a coach. The opportunity to lead the Indian team is an immense honor, allowing me to don the India jersey and contribute to our nation,” Gambhir shared during an interview with JioStar.

The former Indian opener highlighted the deep emotional ties associated with representing India, noting that recognition from loved ones and the pride of millions of fans made the victory even more meaningful. “When your mother congratulates you with a ‘well done’, that’s the essence of why you play. There is no greater joy than making 1.4 billion Indians proud,” he remarked.

Gambhir also reiterated a core message he imparted to the team throughout the tournament—that playing for India is a privilege and not a right.

“I consistently urged the boys that being in that dressing room is a privilege, not something to be taken for granted. Countless individuals aspire to be in my role as the Indian team's head coach, and many would crave the positions the players occupy,” he added.

According to Gambhir, India’s triumph was not merely based on the results but rather on the fearlessness displayed by the players throughout the tournament. He elaborated that the team’s emphasis was on making an impact rather than pursuing individual accolades.

“More than just the victory, it was the players’ ability to embrace the high-risk, high-reward philosophy that stood out. From day one, I firmly believed that T20 cricket is about making an impact. It transcends milestones or personal achievements; it's about influencing the game, whether with bat or ball,” Gambhir observed.

He also underscored the importance of remaining present during the fast-paced format of the game. “The guiding principle throughout this World Cup was to remain in the moment and control each delivery. The past cannot be altered, and the future is uncertain. Even if you concede five sixes, the next delivery can change the game,” he explained.

While numerous performances contributed to India’s campaign, Gambhir specifically identified Samson’s innings against the West Indies as the defining moment, emphasizing that the match acted as a de facto knockout round for India.

“It’s hard to pinpoint, but I firmly believe that Sanju’s 97 against the West Indies was the campaign's turning point. Chasing 195 in a World Cup match is always a daunting task, regardless of the venue,” Gambhir clarified.

Samson's composed demeanor, according to Gambhir, transformed the atmosphere in the dressing room, and he commended Ishan Kishan for his significant role during the chase.

“His calmness at the crease instilled confidence within the group, indicating we were on the right path. When Sanju found his rhythm, and Ishan Kishan performed admirably at number three, everything started to align,” Gambhir elaborated.

Another contributing factor to India’s success was the players’ adaptability to various roles and batting orders during the tournament.

“What will stay with me is how seamlessly the boys accepted different batting positions,” he remarked.

The coach emphasized that this flexibility was epitomized by captain Hardik Pandya, who was open to adjusting his role to benefit the team.

“In the semi-final against England, Shivam was promoted, and Surya accepted it without hesitation. In the final, even Hardik was elevated in the batting order, and he was perfectly fine with it,” Gambhir noted.

He also cited examples of players like Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube performing across multiple batting positions based on the situation.

“Tilak batted at number three and then adjusted to five, six, and even seven, while Shivam batted from four to seven. This adaptability epitomizes what team sports represent,” he stated.

Gambhir also showered praise on Jasprit Bumrah, the spearhead of India’s bowling attack, for his versatility throughout the tournament.

“Jasprit bowled with the new ball, in the middle overs, and also handled the critical overs,” Gambhir remarked. “At various stages of the competition, players were assigned different roles, and they adapted remarkably well.”

According to the head coach, it was this blend of fearless cricket, adaptability, and standout performances that propelled India to a historic T20 World Cup victory on home turf.