India will face-off against New Zealand in five ODIs and two Tests.
Gautam Gambhir, head coach of India’s T20I side, has instructed his team members to stay fit and keep practicing their skills during a month-long holiday period following India’s victory in a five-match series against New Zealand by 3-2.
India managed to win the first three matches of the series to lead the series 3-0 but failed to attain victories in the last two games, as New Zealand avoided a whitewash.
After the completion of the fifth T20I, Gambhir spoke to the players in the dressing room and appreciated their efforts in light of the limited preparation time and difficult conditions.
"You can be extremely proud of the effort that you guys have put in throughout the series. Winning the series, especially when you had just one day to prepare and were playing against a quality team like New Zealand in their own backyard, is a terrific achievement. You should be extremely proud,” Gambhir told the players after the conclusion of the New Zealand T20Is.
The Indian team faced a couple of hiccups during the tournament as well. Ishan Kishan was ruled out of two games because of an injury, while in the bowling unit, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, who were playing their first-ever game in New Zealand, were fairly young.
Gambhir said that India had started off well for the rest of the tour and that they should use this T20I team as a platform for the other teams.
"You can go back with your heads held high. We wanted to win the last two games as well, but sometimes these things happen. I thought you guys had set the tone for the rest of the tour. Before the start of the series, I said that you had the responsibility to set the tone. Gambhir said the ODI and Test teams must continue where you left off," Gambhir added.
Gambhir also asked the T20I players to stay in shape in the one-month off-season, as India will next play Sri Lanka at home in December.
"We know that we don't play enough T20 cricket, and we've got a month off now. So, make sure we stay in shape and prepare well for Sri Lanka," he said.
The India coach also emphasized the necessity for the team to continue getting better and advised the players not to get complacent following the series victory.
"We can't take any opposition lightly. We have to continue growing as a team, thinking as a team and playing as a team," Gambhir added.
The Indian team will now move on to the five-game ODI series starting November 4 in Auckland under the captaincy of Shubman Gill. The Indian side will also clash with New Zealand in two Tests after the ODI series’ conclusion.