“I don't believe in data” - Gautam Gambhir after India’s five-wicket win over West Indies

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has clarified that he doesn’t believe in data, stating that the shortest format of the game is more about instinct and backing it. Notably, his comments came right after India advanced to the semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

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Speaking at the post-match press conference after India’s five-wicket win over the West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, March 1, Gambhir made it clear that whatever knowledge he has about the game and the format, he gives it to the captain, who eventually takes the final call on the field.

"I don't believe in data, honestly. I have never seen data. I don't even know what data is all about. I feel T20 cricket is more about instinct and backing your instinct as well. Whatever knowledge I have about the game and the T20 format, I give it to the captain and try to help him out as much as I can. But ultimately, it's the captain who takes the final call,” Gautam Gambhir said in the post-match press conference.

Moreover, when Gambhir was asked if the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is peaking at the right time in the showpiece event, he stated that he doesn’t believe in such a concept, adding that it’s very important to win each and every game in a short tournament like T20 World Cup.

"Look, I don't believe in all this peaking at the right time. You got to win every game that you represent your country in. There is nothing sort of peaking at the right time. It's a short tournament that comes and goes very quickly, so you've got to try and play your A game every time,” he concluded.

India will next lock horns with England in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 5.

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