Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that he doesn’t believe in data or similar analytical stuff when he comes to preparing for opponents. The former India opener revealed that he trusts his instincts and tries to pass on the experience that he has gained, by playing the game, to Suryakumar Yadav.

India beat the West Indies by five wickets at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, March 1 to progress to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026. Chasing a target of 196, the Men in Blue got over the line in 19.2 overs as opener Sanju Samson smashed 97* off 50 balls.

At the post-match press conference, Gambhir was asked how much he relied on data when he came to planning for a game. The India coach replied:

“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 that takes the final call.”

India made some interesting calls in the bowling department against the West Indies on Sunday. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya opened the bowling, while left-arm spinner Axar Patel bowled two overs in the powerplay. Lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah bowled only one out of the first six overs.

“Don’t believe in peaking at the right time” – Gambhir

Asked about whether he feels Team India are peaking at the right time, Gambhir again dismissed the concept, stating he doesn’t believe in it. The former India batter opined that in a short tournament like the T20 World Cup, it is important to try and win each and every game. He commented:

“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.”

Having qualified for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026, Team India will face England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5.