My job is not to make everyone happy: Gautam Gambhir after Vaibhav Sooryavanshi snub in 5th T20I vs NZ

New Delhi: India head coach Gautam Gambhir said his job is not to make everyone happy or take popular decisions, as he explained why Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was not part of playing XI in the 5th and final T20I against NEW Zealand in Hamilton on Sunday, November 01. India left out Sooryavanshi from their playing XI despite the game being a dead rubber.

India have already sealed the series against with an unassailable 3-1 lead. However, the team management decided to keep Sooryavanshi on the bench in the final game to continue with the first-choice opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.

Sooryavanshi was part of India’s playing XI in two matches during Ishan Kishan’s absence. He batted at no.3 in the 2nd T20I before scoring a quickfire 45 while opening the batting in the third T20I, where India registered a resounding six-wicket win to seal the five-match series.

When asked about Sooryavanshi’s absence from the playing XI in the 5th T20I, India head coach Gambhir said his responsibility is to make the right decisions and not popular ones. He also said his decisions ensure there is security inside the Indian dressing room.

“First of all, my job is not to make everyone happy. My job is to take the right decisions, not the popular decisions. And that is what I’m there for,” Gambhir told the broadcaster ahead of the 5th T20I.

“It is very easy to take the popular decision. But for me, I think the important thing is to take the right decision and make sure that there is a lot of security inside the dressing room,” he added.

Gambhir, who has reiterated in the past that Sooryavanshi needs to wait to get regular chances in the playing XI, once again insisted that the likes of Samson and Abhishek, who have done well for India over the years, deserve a long rope.

“Because, as you just mentioned, there’s a lot of talent. But again, I think guys have done phenomenally well over a longer period of time. Obviously, deserve a longer rope. And that is exactly how we approach the series,” said the India head coach.

Samson and Abhishek fall cheaply in 5th T20I

While Sooryavanshi didn’t get a chance in the playing XI, Indian openers Abhishek and Samson were both dismissed cheaply in the 5th T20I against New Zealand in Hamilton on Sunday. Abhishek got caught on just 1 off 2 balls in the very first over, while Samson was removed on 4 off 10 balls.

Despite the poor start, India managed to recover well and post a strong total of 191/8 in 20 overs, batting first in the game. The visitors rode on Ishan Kishan 61 and a 23-ball 50 from Ishan Kishan to post a good total.