Gautam Gambhir delivered an inspiring speech in the West Indies dressing room after being invited by Daren Sammy following the two-Test series.
Gautam Gambhir Inspires West Indies After Hard-Fought Second Test
Although West Indies lost the two-match series against India, they showed significant improvement in the second Test in New Delhi. John Campbell and Shai Hope scored centuries after the visitors were forced to follow on, and with contributions from Justin Greaves and Jayden Seales, they managed to set a challenging target of 121 for India despite trailing by 270 runs in the first innings. The game extended into the fifth day, where India eventually secured a seven-wicket victory.
After the match, India head coach Gautam Gambhir was invited into the West Indies dressing room by Daren Sammy. Gambhir, who had earlier described the Windies as “inexperienced” in the post-match press conference, used the opportunity to encourage the team and share insights from his experience at the elite level.
Sammy introduced Gautam Gambhir, highlighting the importance of hearing from someone who has achieved success consistently in top-level cricket. Gambhir addressed the visitors for nearly four minutes, delivering a simple yet powerful message: “World cricket needs you,” emphasizing the crucial role the West Indies can play on the global stage if they continue to give their best.
Mentoring Masterclass ft. @GautamGambhir
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 14, 2025
The West Indies Head Coach Darren Sammy invited India’s Head Coach over to talk to the boys after the Test series and what unfolded was a pure masterclass! 👌- By @Moulinparikh
🔽 Watch | #TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Gambhir’s message
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir lauded the West Indies for their flair, humility, and conduct both on and off the field. “It’s always a privilege to play West Indies, whether at home or away. The way you carry yourself on and off the field is a great learning experience for my team and others across the globe,” he said.
Gambhir highlighted the importance of purpose in cricket, noting that West Indies players can inspire the next generation. “There are very few teams with someone like the West Indies who play with a purpose. Purpose is always more important than love. The way you played in the second innings of this Test is probably the template that can take West Indies cricket forward,” he added.
He also urged the team to value collective effort over individual milestones. “In a team sport, every contribution matters. It’s easy to talk about hundreds and fifties, but it’s the small contributions that make a team,” Gambhir explained. Concluding his heartfelt message, he emphasized West Indies’ significance to the cricketing world: “West Indian cricket doesn’t need world cricket. World cricket needs West Indian cricket.”
