Gautam Gambhir played a crucial knock of 75 off 53 balls in the 2007 T20 World Cup final against Pakistan, helping India clinch their maiden World T20 title with a narrow 5-run victory in South Africa.
Gautam Gambhir Reflects on Career Highlights Over Missed Milestones
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has no regrets about not captaining the national side permanently, missing out on 100 Tests, or failing to reach 10,000 runs in any format. Instead, he cherishes having won two World Cups for India—moments he considers far more meaningful than individual milestones.
Gautam Gambhir, a key figure in India’s victorious campaigns, top-scored in both the 2007 T20 World Cup final with a gritty 75 against Pakistan and the 2011 ODI World Cup final with a crucial 97 against Sri Lanka.
“I don’t regret anything. I have two World Cup medals at home. Tell me how many people in India have that? Very few,” Gambhir told CNN-News18. “If you look back at your career from a negative perspective, then you’ll always find what you missed. But winning two World Cups and performing in both finals—that’s what truly matters.”
While acknowledging the challenge of building a new team following the Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Gambhir believes it’s also an opportunity for emerging players to rise and take charge.
Gambhir Reflects on Kohli-Rohit Test Exit, Urges Next Generation to Step Up
“When you start the game and when you want to finish, it’s a very individual decision,” Gambhir said, adding that only the player can decide when it’s time to move on.
The back-to-back exits of two of India’s most experienced Test cricketers ahead of the England series have left a notable leadership and experience void. Gambhir acknowledged the challenge but also saw it as a window for new leaders to emerge.
“Yes, we’ve lost two seasoned players. But this is also an opportunity for others to step up and prove themselves,” he noted, drawing parallels to India’s Champions Trophy success in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
Gambhir remained optimistic about Kohli and Rohit’s ODI futures, saying performance will determine their inclusion in the 2027 World Cup. “If you keep performing, age is just a number,” he concluded, while also turning attention to the upcoming T20 World Cup in India, calling it the next big focus for Team India.
