India Win T20 World Cup: In a heartfelt display, head coach Gautam Gambhir dedicated India's T20 World Cup triumph to former India coach Rahul Dravid for maintaining the stability and structure within the team and head of the BCCI Centre of Excellence, VVS Laxman, for creating a pipeline at CoE.

With their 96-run triumph over New Zealand in the summit final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India became the first team to win three T20 World Cups (2007, 2024, 2026), the first to defend their title and also the first to do so at home.

Gambhir emphasised his accountability lies solely with the team, stating, "My accountability is not for people on social media. My accountability is to those 30 people in that change room.”

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"My accountability is not for people on Social Media. My accountability is to those 30 people in that change room. A coach is as good as his team. Players made me the coach I am," Gambhir said during the post-match press conference.

Despite basking in glory, Gambhir marked India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign with a heartfelt tribute to Dravid and Laxman.

"I would dedicate this trophy to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. To Rahul bhai for putting the Indian team in a place and Laxman for creating a pipeline at CoE," he added.

"Ajit Agarkar, who took a lot of flak and worked with a lot of honesty. And to Jay bhai. During the lowest ebb in my tenure after losing to NZ and then SA (at home in the Test series in 2024 and 2025), he called me," he noted.

India's batting outburst led to a massive 255/5, and they bundled out New Zealand for 159 to triumph comfortably. Sanju Samson's 89 off 45 balls and Abhishek Sharma's 52 off 21 balls set the platform for India's predominant performance. Jasprit Bumrah took 4 wickets, and Axar Patel snapped up 3 wickets to restrict New Zealand.

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"We have to let go fear of losing. Rather than playing conservative cricket, getting out for 120 is okay. The hallmark has been bravery and showing courage to score 250 in semis and finals," Gambhir said.

The head coach applauded captain Suryakumar Yadav for working in tandem with him.

"Surya made my job easier. He has been a leader who is a father figure. The bigger purpose is to celebrate trophies, not milestones. For too many years, we have celebrated milestones. I will urge you people, to stop celebrating personal milestones," Gambhir reiterated.