India coach Gautam Gambhir urged the T20I-series-bound players to stay fit during their long break away from the game. India pulled off a stunning 3-2 win over New Zealand in the five-match series and has now set its sights on the following ODI series. Ahead of the T20 team's flight back home, Gambhir lauded them for the tremendous effort in the series, highlighting the limited preparation time and challenges of playing in unfamiliar conditions. "You can be extremely proud of the effort that you guys have put in throughout the series. Winning the series, especially when you had just one day to prepare and were playing against a quality team like New Zealand in their own backyard, is a terrific achievement. You should be extremely proud," Gambhir told the players in the dressing room. India sealed the series in the first three games itself; however, they suffered losses in the final two matches. Gambhir said the team can go back home with their heads held high, saying that they set the tone for the rest of the series. "You can go back with your heads held high. We wanted to win the last two games as well, but sometimes these things happen. I thought you guys have set the tone for the rest of the tour. Before the start of the series, I said that you had the responsibility to set the tone. Now, it is up to the ODI and Test teams to continue from where you have left off," he said. The T20 players will get a month-long break before India host Sri Lanka for a three-match series. Gambhir said the players should maintain fitness and prepare well for the series. "We know that we don't play enough T20 cricket, and we've got a month off now. So, make sure we stay in shape and prepare well for Sri Lanka," he said. "We can't take any opposition lightly. We have to continue growing as a team, thinking as a team and playing as a team," Gambhir added. Faham Uddin is a seasoned sports journalist currently working as a Special Correspondent on the sports desk. With over eight years of diverse experien... View More