‘A winning dressing room is a smiling dressing room’: Gautam Gambhir reflects before India’s Namibia clash

NEW DELHI: As India gear up to face Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the match holds a deeply personal touch for head coach Gautam Gambhir. Delhi is not only his hometown but also a venue that celebrates his legacy, with a stand named in his honour.

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The former India opener welcomed the squad to his home for dinner after their arrival, emphasising the importance of togetherness in a profession he described as emotionally demanding. Speaking in a BCCI video, Gambhir opened up about the realities behind the scenes of elite sport.



“You’re around your family, so for me, home has always been special… it’s sometimes a very challenging profession as well,” Gambhir said, highlighting the loneliness and pressure that often accompany life in international cricket. He stressed that the support staff often become more than colleagues. “Support staff is not just support staff; it’s actually more than a family,” he added, noting how shared experiences build strong bonds within the team environment.

Despite the intense build-up to matches, Gambhir believes maintaining a relaxed atmosphere away from the heat of competition is crucial. “Once the game gets started, it’s always tense… but in the dressing room and during practice, you try and be as relaxed as you can; you can joke around,” he explained, adding that the captain’s leadership plays a key role in shaping the team’s mood.


However, the India coach was candid about the unforgiving nature of professional sport. In a striking remark that captured his philosophy, Gambhir said, “The only time players or support staff can smile is when you go into a winning dressing room… a winning dressing room is a smiling dressing room.”

For Gambhir, returning to Delhi is ultimately about balance — finding peace amid pressure. “Irrespective of how the day has panned out, you go back home… home is love, and home is where you get peace,” he concluded.


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