Gautam Gambhir says leading India in New Delhi brings a rare home advantage — peace that helps him focus while coaching the hosts and defending champions. As head coach, Gambhir has been candid about how familiarity with local conditions, crowds and routines allows him to communicate more effectively with players and extract better performances on big occasions.
The Arun Jaitley Stadium will stage India’s clash with Namibia, a fitting stage for a coach who grew up playing in Delhi and has deep roots in the city. Gautam Gambhir’s connection with the city runs beyond anecdotes: he represented Delhi in domestic cricket, turned out for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL and recorded one of his best Test scores at the venue.
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Making the most of his time on familiar turf, Gambhir hosted the squad and coaching staff for dinner before the team departed for Sri Lanka. That trip leads into India’s high-profile group game against Pakistan in Colombo on February 15, 2026 — a quick turnaround that demands careful management.
📍 Delhi
(Home) Team; ft. Gautam Gambhir
💬 A winning dressing room is a smiling dressing room! 😊
🔽 Watch | #TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #INDvNAM | @GautamGambhir https://t.co/dukIg2e1jp
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 12, 2026
Speaking to the BCCI, Gautam Gambhir described how the dressing room acts like family. “Home is love, home is where your family is and obviously, home is where you get peace,” he said, underlining the emotional toll of elite coaching and the solace of trusted support staff.
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In elite cricket, where lonely nights and pressure are routine, having a close-knit backroom helps players process setbacks and share raw emotion. Gambhir stressed that support staff often become an extended family because they understand the profession’s ups and downs and can help steady individuals through difficult patches.
Whether at Arun Jaitley or in Colombo, Gambhir’s priority is clear: protect the squad, manage workloads, and keep the dressing room composed heading into big matches. And focus.
