‘Data won’t bat, bowl, or field’ – Former captain backs Gautam Gambhir’s ‘Don’t believe in data’ remark

Title: T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Data won’t bat, bowl, or field for you’ – Former World Cup winner defends Gautam Gambhir’s instinct-based decision comments (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth supported Gautam Gambhir’s comments on going with instincts rather than data following India’s victory over West Indies in their final Super 8 game in the 2026 T20 World Cup on Sunday, March 1.

Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 helped the Men in Blue chase down 196 with four balls to spare. Following a euphoric five-wicket victory at the Eden Gardens, the head coach shared insights into his decision-making process.

“I don’t believe in data, honestly. I have never seen data. I don’t even know what data is all about. I feel T20s are more about instinct and backing your instinct as well,” Gambhir was quoted as saying by News18.

Data is just information: Srikkanth

Gambhir’s comments on instinct-based decisions went down well with Srikkanth. The 66-year-old believes that there is a time and place for data to be used in cricket, but it is the instincts of the players that eventually win you the games, like how Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah did against the Windies on Sunday.

“It was a superb statement by Gambhir, I loved it. Data should be used only up to one point. Data won’t bat, bowl, or field for you; you have to do it yourself as a player. Data is just information, but it’s the instinct that ultimately leads to success. Did Sanju Samson bat with data the other night? He smashed the bowling on instinct. Even Bumrah vs Hetmyer, Bumrah had to bowl well to get his wicket and not just bowl. He couldn’t have just bowled a full toss to dismiss Hetmyer, Srikkanth said on his Youtube channel.

“For a change, I completely agree with Gautam Gambhir. Instinct plays a major role, especially in T20 cricket. If you play using data, you can’t play some of the shots Sanju Samson played against the West Indies. Samson was playing tennis shots off front and back foot because he was playing out of instinct. The data from a computer won’t bat for you, you only have to. Just for today, I am a fan of Gambhir after reading similar statements,” he added.

India will now face England in the T20 World Cup semi-final on Thursday, March 5 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for a chance to play in their second consecutive final.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.