VVS Laxman and Gautam Gambhir (Source:X)
Shreyas Iyer finally registered his first victory as India’s T20I captain after the Men in Blue defeated Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the opening T20I in Harare on July 23. The win ended a difficult run for Shreyas Iyer, who had lost six of his first seven matches as captain during the Ireland and England tours.
While the team's dominant performance grabbed headlines in IND vs ZIM 1st T20I, another major talking point was the absence of head coach Gautam Gambhir in the Indian dugout.
With Gambhir not travelling with the squad, VVS Laxman took charge of the team. Soon after India’s convincing victory, social media was flooded with reactions, with many fans claiming the team looked more relaxed and positive without Gambhir.
Why Did Gautam Gambhir Not Travel With Indian Team For Zimbabwe Tour?
It is important to mention that Gautam Gambhir did not travel with the Indian team for the Zimbabwe tour after being given a short break by the BCCI.
This is the first time since taking over as India's head coach in July 2024 that Gambhir has missed a series.
Laxman, who currently heads the BCCI's COE, also guided the Indian team during the Zimbabwe tour in July 2024. He has once again taken charge for this series and is reportedly expected to coach India’s T20I side during the 2026 Asian Games 2026.
Fans Slam Gautam Gambhir And Express Happiness After India's Win
India’s convincing victory quickly became a major topic on social media, with several fans linking the team’s performance to Gambhir's absence.
Many fans claimed that the atmosphere within the squad looked more relaxed and that the players appeared to be enjoying themselves on the field.
One fan wrote, “This Indian Team without Gautam Gambhir is looking so good and the team environment is looking so positive. We need Gautam Gambhir away from the India team permanently!”
Several other fans stated similar opinions and suggested that the dressing room looked happier and that every player appeared confident about his role within the side.
Also Read: “Without Bumrah, Bowling Is Gumrah” Fans Call Out India’s Timid Show Vs England
A happy team is a winning team 😌😌😌. India doesn't need any coach, especially the likes of Gautam Gambhir. Zimbabwe is a better team than Ireland. The same team without a coach could've won against Ireland (with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from 1st match 😎) @flyingtablefan
Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Snubbed! Why Did Mayank Yadav Win Player Of The Match In IND Vs ZIM 1st T20I?
This Indian Team without Gautam Gambhir is looking so good & team environment is looking so positive. We need Gautam Gambhir away from India team permanently! @Rajiv1841
Twitter Reacts To Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s Match-Winning Knock
Apart from discussing Gambhir's absence, fans also praised young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who produced a sensational innings to guide India to victory.
Many users felt the youngster played with complete freedom and confidence. One fan wrote, “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is playing without any pressure because Gautam Gambhir isn’t part of the team.”
The teenage batter smashed a breathtaking half-century off just 19 balls, helping India chase down the target with ease. With this knock, he became the youngest to score a half-century in T20Is and International cricket.
Earlier, India’s pace attack had laid the foundation for the win. Mayank Yadav returned impressive figures of 2/18, while Prince Yadav picked up 2/19 as Zimbabwe managed only 125/7 in their 20 overs.
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