‘Credit to Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer’ — Mohammad Kaif lauds coach-captain duo after New Zealand T20I series win

India secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand on October 27 2026, beating the hosts by six wickets at Wellington. Chasing a target of 199, the visitors wrapped up the chase in just 13.2 overs, finishing with 40 balls to spare in a thoroughly dominant performance.

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif heaped praise on head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer after the victory, crediting both for keeping the side focused and aggressive despite a condensed schedule that involved back-to-back matches and considerable travel across New Zealand.

“I would want to credit the Indian batters a lot. This was not an easy series. But the Indian batters have played really well. They never played this well, even in Ireland or Zimbabwe. They have dominated here. This is a big achievement. The team has passed in this test. New Zealand is a very good team. Gautam Gambhir, as a coach, also deserves credit. Credit to Shreyas, the captain, as well. They have maintained the mindset and remained dominant under a tight schedule,” said Kaif on his YouTube channel.

How did India chase down 199 so convincingly at Wellington?

New Zealand posted a competitive 198 for 3 in their 20 overs, with Daryl Mitchell anchoring the innings through an unbeaten 89. A target of 199 on a ground that had offered runs freely was still a stiff ask, yet India’s openers dismantled the chase from the very first over.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi provided an explosive start at the top of the order, striking 45 off just 19 balls to put the hosts immediately on the back foot. Abhishek Sharma then produced one of the most destructive innings of the series, plundering 113 runs off only 38 balls to effectively end the contest well before the halfway point of India’s reply. The six-wicket victory with 40 balls remaining left no doubt about India’s superiority on the night.

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What does this series win mean for Gambhir and Iyer’s leadership?

Kaif’s remarks pointed directly to the environment that Gambhir and Iyer have cultivated within the squad. Managing a dominant batting mindset across a condensed tour, with limited recovery time between fixtures and significant travel between venues, is a challenge the former India batter felt the leadership duo handled commendably.