Gautam Gambhir Demands BCCI For More Authority As T20 World Cup Triumph Reward

Gautam Gambhir helped India win T20 World Cup 2026 (Source: AFP Photos)

Gautam Gambhir made history on Sunday, becoming the first-ever individual to win the T20 World Cup as a player as well as a head coach. No wonder his post-match comments – something often makes headlines due to his not-so-pleasing tone of saying – became the subject of discussion once again after India’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph.

Gambhir gave multiple interviews once India won the T20 World Cup for a record third time. Among them, the most attention he got was the one he gave to Dainik Jagran. 

There, an important question was asked: whether he should be given the authority to set India’s schedule across formats? And Gambhir’s response was as worthy as making a headline out of it.

Gautam Gambhir Makes Shocking Remark On India’s Schedule

While Gambhir has had good success in T20Is and ODIs, he has often been criticised for India’s dismal show in Test cricket, especially at home. There, when the question was asked about India’s white-ball schedule, Gambhir replied that he does not care much about it, but there must be more attention given to India’s Test schedule, with demands being made in public.

"It doesn't matter as much in white-ball cricket. We play more white-ball cricket anyway. Playing in an ODI series after a T20 isn't much of a difference, but transitioning from white-ball to red-ball cricket is quite different," Gambhir told Dainik Jagran.

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"It requires a different mindset and requires getting into a different zone. If we only get two or three days, it's often not good for the players, not just the coaches. I hope we'll have enough time to prepare in the future." 

When Will India Be In Action Under Gambhir Next?

Almost all the Indian players, as well as the superstars across the globe, will next be in action when IPL 2026 kicks off. The tournament will begin on March 28, with the full schedule yet to be revealed.

Gambhir will be on a break during IPL 2026. Once it ends, India will play Afghanistan for a one-off Test match, between June 6 and 10. Then there will be three ODIs between India and Afghanistan, on June 14, June 17 and June 20 respectively.

Notably, the India versus Afghanistan series will also be the comeback of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the international jersey, that too at home. While both Kohli and Rohit will represent the RCB and the Mumbai Indians during IPL 2026, their much-awaited return in ODIs – the format in which they have made themselves available after Test and T20I retirements – will be the one to watch out for.

Once the Afghanistan series ends, India will travel to England for five T20Is and three ODIs. The tour will begin on July 1 and will end on July 19.

Also Read: Indian Cricket Team Schedule After T20 World Cup 2026