Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team has faced its share of challenges. The recent 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has amplified questions about his ability to lead the team in the long run. While Gambhir, a former opening batsman for India, was expected to bring a fresh approach to the role, the team’s performance under his guidance has raised concerns.
Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has been outspoken in his criticism of Gambhir’s coaching methods. He argued that Gambhir fails to practice what he preaches and pointed out that his coaching staff is comprised of individuals who merely agree with his decisions without offering independent input.
Manoj Tiwary criticized the lack of diversity in the coaching setup, particularly highlighting the dominance of Mumbai-based figures, such as captain Rohit Sharma and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. He suggested that individuals like Jalaj Saxena, who perform well but are less vocal, are being sidelined. He also expressed doubt about the influence of the bowling coach, suggesting that decisions were always in alignment with Gambhir’s vision.
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“Gautam Gambhir is a hypocrite. He doesn’t do what he says,” Manoj Tiwary stated during an interview with News18 Bangla. “The captain (Rohit) is from Mumbai, Abhishek Nayar is from Mumbai. Rohit has been pushed to the forefront. There is no one to speak for Jalaj Saxena. What is the use of a bowling coach if the coach will agree to everything the head coach says?”
Tiwary also spoke about the dynamic between Gambhir and Rohit Sharma, offering his perspective on why their relationship might not be smooth. He questioned how the two would work together, given their contrasting leadership styles.
“Rohit is a World Cup-winning captain, while Gambhir led KKR to IPL titles. But Gambhir didn’t single-handedly guide KKR to the title. It was a team effort,” Manoj Tiwary explained, hinting at the PR surrounding Gambhir’s image that often gave him more credit than he deserved.
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Beyond the disappointing tour of Australia, India also suffered their first bilateral ODI series loss in 27 years to Sri Lanka and were whitewashed by New Zealand at home. With the upcoming white-ball series against England and the Champions Trophy on the horizon, Gambhir’s future as head coach could depend on India’s performance in these crucial fixtures.
