Gautam Gambhir says he is not here to make everyone happy

India head coach Gautam Gambhir stated that his role is not to satisfy every stakeholder with selection decisions. He made the comment after questions about the composition of the squad for the New Zealand tour. Gambhir has maintained that selections are based on internal assessments rather than external pressure.

The coach's position aligns with the BCCI's recent emphasis on long-term planning over short-term popularity. Several former players have questioned the omission of certain domestic performers, but the selection panel has backed Gambhir's approach. The coach has also indicated that fitness benchmarks will remain non-negotiable for all candidates.

This stance is expected to shape the squad announcement for the Sri Lanka T20I series in December. Gambhir has reiterated that the focus remains on building a unit capable of performing across conditions.