Indian opener Gautam Gambhir stressed the importance of winning over celebrating individual accolades despite his man-of-the-match performance steering India to a gripping four-wicket victory over Australia in the Commonwealth Bank Series clash on Sunday.
Set 270 for victory, Gambhir struck an important 92 at the Adelaide Oval and formed timely partnerships with Virender Sehwag (20) and Rohit Sharma (33), as his classy innings set up India's heart-stopping last-over win.
The silky left-hander was rewarded with man-of-the-match honours despite falling shy of his first international century in little over a year.
Gambhir, though, said he was not concerned by his drought-breaking effort following a run of poor form on Australian soil this summer, saying he preferred to focus on contributing to a winning cause regardless of his personal record.
"Winning games are far more important than attaining individual goals ... winning is all that we should play for," Gambhir said.
"I've always believed any runs a person can score which can help the team win are far more important than getting 100 or being on a losing side."
"Ninety-two was fine and I was the top run getter but I think most of the contributions coming from the other guys – even those 12 runs of Rivandra Jadeja - were just as crucial."
"It would have been good if I would have scored a century, but it's about the team and contributions, so it was good to have scored 92 and won a match for the team."
With India well on track to chase down Australia's highest total of the Tri-series so far, the visitors allowed the home side to sneak their way back into match when Rohit Sharma and Gambhir departed in quick succession.
India slumped to 4-178 and looked susceptible to an Australian fight back until captain MS Dhoni (44 not out), aided by a valuable contribution from Suresh Raina (38), thrust the reigning World champions to victory.
Dhoni produced a captain's knock as he fired his side to victory in the riveting last over of the match when India needed 13 runs from five balls to win.
Gambhir admitted India should have buried the game earlier but commended his captain for his last ditch heroics to give the men in blue only their second win over Australia in all formats this summer.
"We should have finished the game in the 48th ... but that's easier said than done as there is always far more pressure on the players in the middle-order," Gambhir said.
"We had the belief though that we could beat Australia and MS (Dhoni) did a fantastic job – he's always been a finisher."
"He stays calm and that important in these situations."
India will return to Adelaide Oval on Tuesday to face Sri Lanka.