12 series, little rest: Gautam Gambhir opens up on mental toll of coaching India

India head coach Gautam Gambhir admitted that coaching the national team across formats has left him mentally drained at times, but said he was strong enough to handle the pressure. Having overseen 12 series in 2026, Gambhir said he was prepared to 'take the bullet' despite the demanding cricket calendar.India coach Gautam Gambhir admits mental fatigue due to packed cricket schedule (PTI Photo)New Delhi,Nov 1, 2026 20:38 ISTIndia head coach Gautam Gambhir has admitted that the demands of coaching the national team across formats have left him mentally drained at times, but insisted he was strong enough to deal with the pressure. Having overseen 12 series in 2026, Gambhir acknowledged the strain of a packed cricket calendar but said he was prepared to 'take the bullet' for as long as he could.Gambhir was speaking after India's seven-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I in Hamilton on Sunday. The hosts chased down a target of 192 in 18 overs to end the series on a winning note, although India had already secured the five-match contest 3-2.While players' workloads are managed through rotation and rest, Gambhir has had little time away from the game as India's all-format head coach. His responsibilities have stretched across formats, leaving him with a demanding schedule throughout the year.Even when VVS Laxman took charge of the T20I team at the 2026 Asian Games, Gambhir was overseeing India's ODI side in the home series against the West Indies. There is little respite in sight, either, with India scheduled to play five ODIs and two Tests against New Zealand. Gambhir, however, made it clear that he does not believe in making excuses, even while acknowledging the demands of the job."In my dictionary, my directory, and my ideology, there is no place for fear, and that word does not exist in my life. I think we are professionals, and I've always believed that there are no excuses," Gambhir said at the post-match press conference after the fifth and final T20I. New Zealand vs India, 5th T20I: HighlightsThe India coach admitted that the pressure can be relentless, particularly when working with a team that is expected to win every match."From the workload point of view, I know it's tough. It can be very challenging as well. Especially when you are on the road and the kind of pressure you go through. Especially coaching a team like India, and people don't give you an inch. Everyone expects you to win every game, but you need to be realistic as well. I am enjoying it," he added.Asked whether he had felt 'mentally cooked' while juggling responsibilities across formats, Gambhir admitted that there had been occasions when the workload had caught up with him. He insisted, however, that he remained capable of handling the pressure."Yes, I have, to be honest, but I am strong enough to manage that. I'm strong enough to take it for as long as I can. That's how I am built, and I can take pressure; I can take the bullet. But yes, I am a human being; there will be times when I will feel drained out, but till now I have been able to take it," he said.GAMBHIR PROUD OF INDIA'S T20I SERIES WINDespite the defeat in Hamilton, Gambhir was pleased with India's overall performance in the series. The Shreyas Iyer-led side had arrived in New Zealand only a couple of days before the opening match in Christchurch and had little time to get used to the conditions.India won the first three matches to take an unassailable lead before New Zealand fought back with victories in the final two games. Gambhir felt the team's start to the series deserved particular credit, given the limited preparation time and the challenge of playing in unfamiliar conditions."First of all, it's an incredible effort because boys got only one day to prepare. Different conditions, different weather conditions, different dimensions, playing against a quality side like New Zealand in their backyard with the amount of experience they had in T20 cricket, plus most of the boys touring New Zealand for the first time," said Gambhir.He also pointed to the long journey from India and the team's ability to adapt after just one practice session."My view is that after one practice session, after taking a 15-hour flight, if guys can deliver that kind of a performance, especially against a quality side, I think a lot of credit needs to go to this side; this is an achievement which I think we should always talk about," he added.GAMBHIR WORKS WITH ABHISHEK ON THE OFF-SPIN GAMEGambhir also spoke about his work with Abhishek Sharma during the series, particularly the left-hander's efforts to improve against New Zealand off-spinner Michael Bracewell.Abhishek had struggled against off-spin earlier in the series but showed improvement as the contest progressed. Gambhir spent considerable time working with the opener in the nets, drawing on his own experience of playing spin bowling during his international career.The India coach said batters needed to keep working on different aspects of their game because opposition teams constantly analyse their strengths and weaknesses."Obviously, Abhishek has struggled a bit with off-spin. The more he gets better at it, obviously, he will become an overall better player. And you want to keep improving yourself because the opposition keeps studying you."The way you bat, the way you make runs, the speed with which you bat. So if you improve your game, the different areas, if you improve against different bowlers, you will be one step ahead of the opposition."So that's what I was talking about. Because in the first match, when he was bowling off-spin, obviously, he got a little tied up. It was just a very tactical and technical stuff that we spoke about," added Gambhir.- Ends