![\"\u2018That](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-129433049,imgsize-244334,width-400,resizemode-4\/gautam-gambhir.jpg\" "\\"Sanju")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir<\/a> has revealed that Sanju Samson<\/a>\u2019s match-defining 97 against West Indies proved to be the turning point in India\u2019s triumphant campaign at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. <\/span>SUBSCRIBE NOW!<\/a>India sealed their third title in the tournament after defeating New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad, completing a memorable campaign on home soil. Reflecting on the journey, Gambhir said Samson\u2019s knock during a tense chase against the West Indies changed the momentum of the entire tournament for India. <\/p>\n Suryakumar Yadav receives grand homecoming after India\u2019s T20 World Cup win<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very difficult to say, but I still believe that Sanju\u2019s 97 against West Indies was the turning point of this campaign. It was a virtual quarter-final. Chasing 195 in a World Cup game is never easy, irrespective of the ground,\u201d Gambhir said on JioStar.According to the former opener, Samson\u2019s calm and controlled approach under pressure lifted the dressing-room mood and gave the squad the belief that the campaign was heading in the right direction.Team India Report Card:<\/span> Perfect finish to a not-so-perfect T20 World Cup campaign<\/a>\u201cWith the ease and calmness with which he batted, it gave us a lot of confidence in the group that now we were probably on the right track. When Sanju got going and the way Ishan Kishan batted at number three, a lot of things actually started taking shape,\u201d he added.Gambhir also described winning a World Cup as India\u2019s head coach as a deeply emotional moment, saying the opportunity to once again contribute to the country in national colours was something he never expected.\u201cI could have never thought about winning a World Cup as a coach. I never thought I would get the opportunity or privilege to be the head coach of the Indian team because it\u2019s an absolute privilege to again wear the India jersey or do something special for the country,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Suryakumar Yadav lifts the trophy with Gautam Gambhir as the team members celebrate. (PTI Photo)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The 2011 World Cup winner added that representing India carries a responsibility beyond personal milestones.\u201cWhen your mom wishes you and tells you \u2018well done\u2019, that\u2019s what you play for and what you live for as well. What bigger feeling is there than making 140 crore Indians proud,\u201d Gambhir said.Throughout the tournament, Gambhir said he repeatedly reminded the players that a place in the national dressing room is a privilege.\u201cI\u2019ve always believed that, and I\u2019ve always told the boys as well, that being in that dressing room is a privilege, not an entitlement. Thousands of people would want to be in my position as the head coach of the Indian team, and many would want to be in the position the players are in,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n India head coach Gautam Gambhir with captain Suryakumar Yadav. (Pic credit: BCCI)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n He credited India\u2019s success to a fearless, high-impact approach in the shortest format.\u201cFrom day one, I had a very strong belief that the T20 format is about impact. It\u2019s not about milestones or individual performances. It\u2019s about going out there and creating an impact, whether it\u2019s on the field, with the ball or with the bat,\u201d Gambhir explained.The head coach also highlighted the players\u2019 willingness to adapt to different roles during the tournament, pointing out that captain Suryakumar Yadav<\/a> set the tone by accepting tactical changes for the team\u2019s benefit.\u201cOne thing which will stay with me for the rest of my life is how comfortably the boys accepted different batting positions,\u201d Gambhir said.From Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube shifting roles in the batting order to Jasprit Bumrah delivering in every phase of the innings, Gambhir said the team\u2019s adaptability was the defining feature of India\u2019s title-winning run.<\/div>\n\n![\"Team](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-23456,msid-129433111\/team-india-wins-t20-world-cup-2026.jpg\" "\\"Suryakumar")
<\/p>\n![\"Team](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-23456,msid-129433216\/team-india.jpg\" "\\"India")
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