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• Gambhir will not 'complicate' India's winning formula

  India's new head coach Gautam Gambhir says he does not want to "complicate too many things" as he prepares to take charge of the team for the first time.

  India were crowned T20 World Cup champions last month, with Rahul Dravid bowing out of his time in charge on a high.

  Dravid was head coach for two-and-a-half years, leading them to the finals of a world event in each of the three formats.

  Gambhir's tenure begins on July 27 with India's white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, as the 42-year-old steps into his first head coaching job, having previously worked as a mentor for Indian Premier League sides, Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants.

  Gambhir admitted he did not want to make too many changes given India's recent success and believes the key to that is to start by building trust.

  "It is very simple," Gambhir said in his first interview as head coach, "it is important to give players freedom - that's what I believe in - and not have a relationship of a head coach and a player.

  "The best relationship is one built on trust. The most important thing is they'll always have my backing.

  "I don't complicate too many things. I am taking over a very, very successful team - India are T20 world champions, have been runners-up in the World Test Championship and the 50-overs World Cup."

  As a player, Gambhir enjoyed a 13-year career which saw him win the World Cup in 2007 and 2011.

  Despite not having a lot of coaching experience behind him, Gambhir knows what it takes to win in big moments.

  "My learning has been simple - it has been all about winning," he added.

  "I don't deviate from something. We are in a profession where there can be only one winner. We try and play fair, we try and play hard, and try and come back in a winning dressing room and a happy dressing room.

  "A happy dressing room is a winning dressing room. Ultimately, it is the players' team. The support staff is there to try and get the maximum out of their potential.

  "Sometimes international cricket can be tough, it can be insecure as well, because only 15 can be picked. It is the job of support staff to keep them happy."

  India's T20I series begins on July 27 in Pallekele. 

• 'The wheels are coming off' - Raza bemoans poor fielding as India take series lead over Zimbabwe

  Sikandar Raza admitted "the wheels are coming off again" for Zimbabwe after India took the lead in their five-match T20I series.

  After losing the first match, India are now 2-1 up in the series after three games having held out for a 23-run victory on Wednesday.

  Shubman Gill settled straight back in after returning to the squad following their World Cup success, hitting 66 off 49 balls to set India on their way.

  With Yashasvi Jaiswal (36) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (49) also finding their rhythm early on, India set an impressive target of 182-4.

  Zimbabwe struggled in the field but also got off to a slow start with the bat until Dion Myers entered the fray, getting 65 not out to give the hosts some hope.

  Washington Sundar's three wickets soon put a halt to their comeback as they fell short.

  Raza was left to lament a frustrating game but was optimistic they could get back to their best.

  "Think [the problem] is the fielding again," Raza said. "We are very proud of it, but the wheels are coming off again.

  "We gave away 20 runs extra. We still have problems at the top [with the bat], but we are backing the boys. I know they are trying and once they do, we will come good again.

  "It is time we players including me take the responsibility. I can accept some mistakes from the young side, but the seniors need to step up. But we need to back them.

  "This is the best we have and this is the best that we can do. The game always rewards you, always does."

  The fourth match will take place on Saturday, and a win for India would confirm their series win.

  Data Debrief: India just too strong

  Gll sped to his half-century in just 36 balls, earning his first 50 as India's T20I captain.

  Despite their strong batting display, India were also the beneficiaries of 31 runs after Zimbabwe struggled to take their chances out on the field. The eventual win margin for India: 23. 

• India start 'new chapter' with Gambhir appointment

  India have appointed Gautam Gambhir as the country's new head coach, with BCCI president Roger Binny saying the move marks "a new chapter" for the team.

  Gambhir replaces Rahul Dravid, whose three-year tenure in the role ended on a high when he led India to their first T20 World Cup win since 2007 last month.

  A a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, later this month, will start the Gambhir era.

  His former India team-mate VVS Laxman, the director of cricket at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, is leading the team on an interim basis in their current T20I series in Zimbabwe. That five-match series is tied at 1-1, with the third contest taking place in Harare on Wednesday.

  "India is my identity and serving my country has been the greatest privilege of my life," Gambhir said on X. 

  "I'm honoured to be back, albeit wearing a different hat. But my goal is the same as it has always been, to make every Indian proud. 

  "The men in blue shoulder the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians and I will do everything in my power to make these dreams come true!"

  He added in an official statement: "I am honoured and excited to take on the role of head coach for India.

  "I have always taken pride while donning the Indian jersey during my playing days and it is going to be no different when I take up this new role.

  "Cricket has been my passion and I look forward to working closely with the BCCI, head of cricket - Mr VVS Laxman, the support staff, and, most importantly, the players, as we work towards achieving success in the upcoming tournaments."

  Former opener Gambhir played in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is for India from 2003 to 2016 – helping them to win the T20 World Cup in 2007 and the 50-over Cricket World Cup in 2011.

  The 42-year-old captained Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League titles as a player before coaching them to a third crown this season.

  Expectations will be high after India's recent success in all three formats and he also takes the helm at a time of significant change within the playing squad.

  Veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20I cricket after the recent tournament victory, while there is speculation over how long R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami will continue to play in other formats.

  "His appointment as head coach marks a new chapter for Indian cricket," said Binny.

  "His experience, dedication, and vision for the game make him the ideal candidate to guide our team forward. We are confident that under his leadership, Team India will continue to excel and make the nation proud."

  Gambhir will lead the team across all formats for three-and-a-half years until December 2027.