My job is not to make everyone happy, says Gautam Gambhir
India coach Gautam Gambhir defended his selection decisions ahead of the fifth T20I, stating he prioritises right decisions over popular ones.
India coach Gautam Gambhir said his role is to make the right decisions for the team rather than trying to please everyone, according to a Times Now report. His comments came ahead of the fifth T20I following India's win in the first three games to secure the series.
Gambhir addressed scrutiny regarding team selections, specifically concerning Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Sooryavanshi played two T20Is in New Zealand, scoring 49 runs, including a knock of 45 in 19 balls, but did not play in the West Indies series.
The coach stated that the team will back the opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. He noted that players who have performed well over a longer period deserve a longer rope.
Gambhir also mentioned that questions were raised regarding why Shivam Dube or Kuldeep Yadav did not play in the New Zealand T20I series after India won. He said that while social media makes it easy to take popular decisions, he aims to ensure security in the dressing room.
The coach praised the players for adapting to conditions quickly despite a short turnaround after the West Indies series. He noted the team finished on the 17th and flew on the 18th, having only one practice session.