“For too many years we’ve...”: Gautam Gambhir again attacks Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir opened up about the importance of teamwork after the win over the West Indies in the T20 World Cup 2026. Gambhir said that Shivam Dube’s two fours were as valuable as Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97, adding that small contributions can be just as decisive as big innings.

India advanced to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup following a five-wicket victory over the West Indies. Chasing a target of 196, Samson scored an unbeaten 97 runs off 50 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes. The 31-year-old won the Player of the Match award for his composed and aggressive innings.

For too many years we have been speaking about certain contributions - Gautam Gambhir's Indirect dig at Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

During a post-match press conference, Gautam Gambhir acknowledged Sanju Samson’s knock but stated that the match could not have been won without smaller efforts, especially Shivam Dube’s two crucial boundaries.

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“For too many years we have been speaking about certain contributions. I think Shivam’s those two boundaries were as important as Sanju’s 95 (97*). This is a team sport and this will always remain a team sport. So, these two boundaries are as important as Sanju’s innings. If we hadn’t had delivered tonight, we wouldn’t have spoken about Sanju,” Gautam Gambhir said in the post-match press conference.

“Yes, he played a special innings but those small contributions help you win games. The big contributions make headlines, the small contributions, the contributions that can help the team cross the line is very important. That’s why I say this is going to be the philosophy as long as I am here,” Gautam Gambhir added.

Shivam Dube’s Boundaries Ease Pressure as Sanju Samson Finishes in Style

Hardik Pandya was dismissed by Shamar Joseph for 17 off 14 balls in the 19th over. At that point, India still needed 17 runs from 10 balls, and the pressure was firmly on Sanju Samson, who was batting through the chase.

Shivam Dube then shifted the momentum in India’s favour. The left-hander attacked from ball one, smashing a boundary immediately and then finding the fence again off the penultimate delivery of the over. Those two shots changed the equation quickly.

India needed only seven runs from the final over. Samson finished the job in style with a six and a four. While Samson’s unbeaten innings grabbed the headlines, Dube’s cameo played a decisive role in India’s win during the high-pressure game.

India Set to Face England in Semi-Final Clash at Wankhede

Gautam Gambhir's India will face England in the second semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5. The Men in Blue are just two victories away from becoming the first team to defend a T20 World Cup title at home.

The two sides have met in the semi-finals of the previous two editions. England thrashed India by 10 wickets in Adelaide in 2022, before India bounced back with a 68-run win in Guyana in 2024.

England remain a strong challenge, as captain Harry Brook, all-rounder Will Jacks, and their bowling unit have delivered consistently to push the side into the final four. The winner of this contest will advance to the final, where either South Africa or New Zealand await.

Also read: Suryakumar Yadav bows down to Sanju Samson days after mocking him at press conference