Gautam Gambhir tells players to stay fit during T20I break
The India head coach urged the squad to maintain fitness following a 3-2 series victory against New Zealand.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has advised his players to prioritise fitness and preparation during a month-long hiatus from T20I cricket. The instruction came after India secured a 3-2 series win over New Zealand, according to the Times of India.
India won the first three matches of the five-match series to take an unassailable lead, though New Zealand won the final two games on home soil. The series included setbacks such as Ishan Kishan missing two matches due to injury and the debut of bowlers Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav.
Addressing the dressing room after the fifth T20I, Gambhir told the players they should be proud of their achievement given the limited preparation time and unfamiliar conditions. He stated that the team had set the tone for the remainder of the tour.
The coach also warned the squad against complacency, noting that the team must continue to grow and cannot take any opposition lightly. He said it is now up to the ODI and Test teams to build on the T20I performance.
The T20I squad will next face Sri Lanka in a three-match home series in December. India will now focus on upcoming ODI and Test assignments against New Zealand before the Sri Lanka series begins.