Amid Sooryavanshi debate, Gambhir says, 'my job is not to make everyone happy'

NewsSports NewsCricket NewsAmid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debate, Gautam Gambhir says, 'my job is not to make everyone happy' Amid Vaibhav Sooryavanshi debate, Gautam Gambhir says, 'my job is not to make everyone happy' Edited by Shubhanshu Dwivedi / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Nov 01, 2026, 15:00 IST India head coach Gautam Gambhir said his responsibility was to make the right decisions for the team rather than please everyone, stressing that players who have performed consistently deserve a longer run.India have plenty of options on the bench, with teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi still waiting for an opportunity despite his performances.

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma have continued to open the innings and played key roles in India's successful defence of their T20I World Cup title earlier this year. Watch Virat Kohli drives, edges but doesn't stop in Auckland | Exclusive visuals "First of all, my job is not to make everyone happy.

My job is to take the right decisions, not the popular decisions. And that is what I'm there for," Gambhir told the broadcasters ahead of the fifth T20I against New Zealand on Sunday.He said maintaining a sense of security within the dressing room was important and that players who had delivered over a longer period should be backed."No, it is very easy to take the popular decision.

But for me, I think the important thing is to take the right decision and make sure that there is a lot of security inside the dressing room."Because, as you just mentioned, there's a lot of talent. But again, I think guys who have done phenomenally well over a longer period of time obviously deserve a longer rope.

And that is exactly how we approach the series."India had already sealed the five-match series against New Zealand by winning the first three games. Asked how he planned to keep the players motivated with the series decided, Gambhir said representing the country should be motivation enough."When you're playing for your country, there is no complacency.""You've obviously got to remember that it's an international game.

Everyone knows how few privileged players get the opportunity to represent the country. For me, every game is an opportunity to do something different, to learn something, to evolve."And that is exactly how we approach the game.

I think there are no dead rubbers in my philosophy, in my ideology, and exactly the same philosophy applies in the room as well."Join conversation Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app. Shashi Tharoor Targets Election Commission Over 130 Million Voter Deletions At INDIA Bloc Rally JP Nadda Calls INDIA Bloc Rally A ‘Conspiracy’ To Create Anarchy, Targets Rahul Gandhi Akhilesh Yadav’s ‘Double Zero’ Jibe At BJP After SP Sweeps Both Varanasi MLC Seats In UP Polls Rahul Gandhi Urges INDIA Bloc Rallygoers To Shop In Delhi Amid Traders’ Business Concerns Cockroach Janta Party Backs ‘Vote Chori’ Fight, But Skips INDIA Bloc’s Ramlila Maidan Rally ‘Gyanesh Won’t Survive As CEC’: Rahul Gandhi’s BIG Warning At Mock Impeachment 'Treason': Kharge BLASTS CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Lists 6 Charges At INDIA Bloc's Mock Parliament Rahul Gandhi Invites People For Ramlila Maidan March, Delhi Police Say No Permission Sought ‘Rahul Refused, You Are Last Hope’: Delhi Traders Turn To Congress Allies Over Nov 1 Rally AAP First List For Punjab Polls: CM Mann To Defend Dhuri, Jailed Minister Sanjeev Arora Gets Ticket