Related Articles
The fallout from India’s heavy 3-1 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 has intensified, with former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary launching a scathing attack on head coach Gautam Gambhir. The loss in the five-match Test series against Australia has raised serious doubts about Gambhir’s leadership and his future as the head coach of the Indian cricket team.
Table of content
Manoj Tiwary’s Criticism of Gambhir
Speaking to News18 Bangla, Tiwary didn’t mince words, calling Gambhir a “hypocrite” and accusing him of not practicing what he preaches. He alleged that Gambhir surrounds himself with people who rarely challenge his decisions and favors individuals from his past coaching and IPL connections.
“Gautam Gambhir is a hypocrite. He doesn’t do what he says. The captain (Rohit Sharma) is from Mumbai, Abhishek Nayar is from Mumbai. Rohit has been pushed to the forefront. There is no one to speak for players like Jalaj Saxena, who performs but stays quiet. The bowling coach agrees with whatever Gambhir says. Morne Morkel came from Lucknow Super Giants, and Nayar was with Gambhir at KKR. The head coach knows they will not go against his instructions,” Tiwary remarked.
Tension Between Gambhir and Rohit Sharma?
Tiwary also pointed to the rumored tension between Gambhir and Indian captain Rohit Sharma, attributing it to their contrasting leadership styles and personalities.
“How will they work together? Rohit is a World Cup-winning captain, while Gambhir led KKR to IPL titles as a captain and mentor. Gambhir didn’t guide KKR to the title single-handedly; it was a team effort with players like Jacques Kallis, Sunil Narine, and myself. But who took all the credit? There’s an environment and PR that allows him to take it all,” Tiwary added.
Gambhir’s Rocky Start as Head Coach
Since Gambhir’s appointment as head coach, India’s performances have been underwhelming. Beyond the BGT defeat, the team endured:
- Their first ODI series loss to Sri Lanka in 27 years.
- A 3-0 whitewash in New Zealand.
These failures have magnified concerns about Gambhir’s coaching philosophy and strategies.
What Lies Ahead for Gambhir?
The upcoming white-ball series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 are seen as critical tests for Gambhir. His ability to revive the team and deliver consistent performances will likely determine whether he retains his position as head coach.
For now, Gambhir faces mounting pressure not only from fans and analysts but also from former teammates like Manoj Tiwary, who have called his leadership and decision-making into question.
