Indian team environment helps players to stay calm even under severe pressure and there was absolutely no panic as India pulled off a commanding World Cup final victory over Sri Lanka on Saturday, says Gautam Gambhir. The Delhi left-hander top-scored with a composed 97 to lay the platform for skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to complete a superb six-wicket victory that ended a 28-year wait for the team and its billion plus fans to regain the Cup.

“The calm with which this team approaches challenges is the key to success,” Gambhir told HT in an interview as the players basked in glory a day after the triumph. “You’d never feel we are flustered or rushed. This self-belief has developed over the years after being through the lows a number of times.”

Gambhir missed the rare opportunity to score a century in the final. He admitted he lost focus but was delighted to upstage Mahela Jayawardene's superb 103 not out as his own effort led to victory.

Dedicating the victory to the 26/11 victims, Gambhir said there cannot be any let up for the team now despite achieving the massive target. “We’ve reached the top in both ODIs and Tests. But now the challenge will be to stay there as the world wants us to fall. We have to guard against that.”  Read full interview