Head coach Gautam Gambhir's high risk, high reward approach paid off for India as they bagged a record third T20 World Cup title last month.

With this triumph, Gambhir became the first Indian head coach to win two ICC titles, having secured the Champions Trophy last year. He also guided the team to Asia Cup triumph in 2025.

Gambhir took over the reins in 2024 despite having no prior coaching experience. The only experience on his resume was a three-year mentorship stint in the Indian Premier League.

In a recent appearance on the Sports Tak Podcast, former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh credited Gambhir’s clarity and unwavering belief in his methods as the driving force behind India’s recent success.

Yuvraj also praised Gambhir for his coaching philosophy and cricketing brain, highlighting several key milestones in latter’s career to support his statement.

“I have played with Gautam since under-16 and under-19, and I always felt he had a very good cricketing brain. The way he sees the game has always stood out,” Yuvraj said.

“He has performed at the highest level and played a major role in winning two World Cups. Then as a mentor with Kolkata Knight Riders, he won titles again. He must be doing something right,” he added.

Yuvraj noted that Gambhir stuck to his process despite criticism, which ultimately led to success.

“When you become India’s coach, there are too many eyes on you. One mistake is shown 100 times, one success 1000 times,” Yuvraj stated. “He went through that phase but stuck to his process. That is what led India to the World Cup triumph. Now he is back on the high — there will always be ups and downs in cricket.”

According to Yuvraj, Gambhir's aggressive blueprint is designed to instill fear in opponents by attacking from the first ball, stressing that chief coach’s support allows players like Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson to express themselves freely without the fear of failure.

“He was clear — we have to play this brand of cricket even if there are failures. We are coming after you from the first ball. If it’s there to hit, players like Abhishek or Sanju will go for it from the first ball,” Yuvraj remarked.

Gambhir’s squad selection was also praised for its depth with Jasprit Bumrah leading the pace-bowling attack, supported by Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh. The spin department was equally potent, with Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav featuring in it.

“Whenever India are in trouble, they have Bumrah to bail them out, with Hardik and Arshdeep backing him,” Yuvraj said.

Yuvraj reiterated that Gambhir stuck to his process even when results were not immediately favorable, which ultimately yielded success in the marquee event.

“Gambhir stuck to his process despite failures, and it rewarded him with the T20 World Cup,” Yuvraj said.