The spotlight is on Gautam Gambhir following India’s disappointing performances in the 2024/25 cricket season. Former cricketer Manoj Tiwary has openly criticized Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach, accusing him of hypocrisy and questioning his ability to work effectively with captain Rohit Sharma.
Tiwary’s Strong Remarks on Gambhir
Tiwary, who shared the dressing room with Gambhir during their time at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), expressed doubts about the partnership between Gambhir and Rohit. Speaking to News18 Bangla, Tiwary accused Gambhir of favoritism and criticized his leadership style.
“Gautam Gambhir is a hypocrite. He doesn’t practice what he preaches. Rohit Sharma, being from Mumbai, is pushed to the forefront, with support from Abhishek Nayar, who is also from Mumbai. But what about players like Jalaj Saxena? He has an outstanding record in 145 first-class matches but is consistently overlooked because he doesn’t have anyone advocating for him,” Tiwary said.
A Questionable Team Environment
Tiwary further questioned the dynamics within the Indian team under Gambhir’s leadership, suggesting that Gambhir takes undue credit for past achievements.
“Rohit is a World Cup-winning captain, and Gambhir led KKR to IPL titles, but he didn’t do it alone. Jacques Kallis, Sunil Narine, and I also contributed significantly. Yet, there’s a PR-driven narrative that gives Gambhir all the credit. This kind of environment raises doubts about how effectively he and Rohit can work together,” Tiwary added.
Concerns About Coaching Staff
The former cricketer also criticized the support staff under Gambhir, including assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and bowling coach Morne Morkel. He claimed they are unlikely to challenge Gambhir’s decisions, raising questions about their autonomy.
“What is the purpose of a bowling coach if he only agrees with whatever the head coach says? Morne Morkel came from Lucknow Super Giants, and Nayar has a history with Gambhir at KKR. The structure seems designed to ensure no one goes against Gambhir’s instructions,” Tiwary remarked.
India’s Struggles Under Gambhir
India’s poor results in the 2024/25 season have amplified criticism of Gambhir’s leadership. The team suffered several significant setbacks, including:
Losing an ODI series to Sri Lanka for the first time since 1997.
Being whitewashed by New Zealand in a home Test series for the first time.
Losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade-long dominance.
These performances also cost India a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final for the first time.
The Road Ahead
As pressure mounts on Gambhir, the Indian cricket fraternity is divided on his future as head coach. Tiwary’s comments highlight the growing concerns about team dynamics and player selection under his leadership. Whether Gambhir can address these issues and turn things around remains to be seen.
