Head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly dismissed allegations regarding “doctored pitches” during India’s T20 World Cup campaign. Addressing the criticism, particularly from across the border, Gambhir emphasized that ICC events are entirely under the jurisdiction of the global governing body, leaving no room for BCCI interference.

“I don’t know why such claims are made; perhaps to boost TRP,” Gambhir stated, adding that modern T20 cricket is designed for batters as fans prefer high-scoring thrillers over 120-run games. He highlighted India’s performance in foreign conditions like Australia and South Africa to prove that India’s success isn’t venue-dependent.

Gambhir also showered praise on captain Suryakumar Yadav, whose leadership has seen India win 42 out of 52 matches. “Suryakumar is an exceptional captain; he makes my job as a coach very easy,” said Gambhir, noting that he has closely observed Surya since their KKR days.