'Play Test cricket on good pitches' - Sourav Ganguly scolds Gautam Gambhir

India have won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, becoming the first team to defend the trophy and the first to win it at home, and the first nation to win it three times. After the win over New Zealand in the final, the Men in Blue were congratulated by many former cricketers.

They have been termed as the best T20 side of all time as well by some cricketer-turned-commentators and pundits as well. In a recent interview with Backstage with Boria, former India captain and ex-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly also praised the side and also head coach Gautam Gambhir, and termed them as the best white-ball side.

He is the winner of a T20 World Cup and a Champions Trophy- Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly believes only the Australia National Cricket Team and the England National Cricket Team can compete with them in ODIs and in the T20I format. However, the former skipper pointed out that the real test from Gambhir and his boys will be outside India, especially in seaming and bouncing conditions.

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Sourav also pointed out India’s weakness in Test cricket as they have lost two back-to-back home series, against New Zealand and South Africa, respectively. However, pointing out that if India plays on good wickets at home, Gambhir will also become a good coach in the traditional format of the game.

Sourav, while speaking with Boria, said, "If you remember my first interview with you before they were going to Australia, people were saying Gambhir this, Gambhir that. I said, give that fellow a chance. It was on your platform and it went viral. He is the winner of a T20 World Cup and a Champions Trophy."

He has got to get better in Test matches- Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly praised Gautam Gambhir for his success as a coach in England, where a relatively inexperienced Indian side competed and earned a 2-2 draw in the series in England. He also believes that the pitch should be out of the context, and the Men in Blue side should play their best games.

"He is a tremendous T20 coach. He has got to get better in Test matches. And most importantly, play on good wickets. If he plays on good wickets, he will be a good Test coach as well. He plays too much on turning pitches in India. Look what he did in England."

I am looking forward to the 2027 World Cup- Sourav Ganguly backs Gautam Gambhir

Sourav Ganguly further added, "So as a coach, you should take the wicket out of the system and just go and play. Because he is very good; I think as a white-ball coach with KKR and India, he has mastered this format in these conditions."

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"So I am looking forward to the 2027 World Cup. He has to find a way to get better there because his batting is breathtaking in these conditions. But when it seams and when it bounces, that’s where he will need to get his boys better. I am sure he will do it."

India will be playing next against Afghanistan in June in an ODI series and one-off Test as well, before travelling to England for the white-ball series in July.

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