The Indian cricket team has faced a string of disappointing results since Gautam Gambhir took over as head coach, with the latest setback being the loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), a title India had retained for nearly a decade.
Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has openly criticized Gambhir for his coaching methods and questioned his leadership, calling him a “hypocrite” in a scathing interview.
The struggles began last August when Sri Lanka secured their first bilateral ODI series win over India since 1997. This was followed by an unprecedented 3-0 Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand in November. Adding to the woes, India surrendered the BGT, marking a sharp decline in their dominance in international cricket.
In an interview with News18 Bangla, Tiwary didn’t hold back his frustrations, stating, “Gautam Gambhir is a hypocrite. He doesn’t do what he says. The captain is from Mumbai, Abhishek Nayar is from Mumbai. Rohit has been pushed to the forefront by them to deal with all the issues.”
Tiwary also took aim at India’s coaching staff, particularly bowling coach Morne Morkel and batting coach Abhishek Nayar, for their inability to address the team’s glaring weaknesses. India’s bowlers, barring Jasprit Bumrah, lacked bite during the BGT, while the batting lineup struggled despite flashes of brilliance from a few young players.
“What is the use of a bowling coach? Whatever the coach says, he will agree. Morne Morkel came from Lucknow Super Giants. Abhishek Nayar was at Kolkata Knight Riders with Gambhir, and the Indian head coach has a comfort zone with him,” Tiwary remarked.
The former cricketer also weighed in on rumors of a rift between Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma, suggesting their strained relationship could be affecting the team’s performance. “It’s concerning how two individuals with such different approaches to leadership can work together effectively,” he said.
As pressure mounts on Gambhir and the Indian management, these comments add another layer of scrutiny. Fans and analysts alike are now questioning whether changes in leadership or strategy are necessary to revive the Men in Blue’s fortunes. The coming months could prove pivotal for Indian cricket as they seek to bounce back from one of their toughest phases in recent years.
