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Manoj Tiwary, a former Indian cricketer, has launched a scathing critique of Gautam Gambhir's performance as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team. Tiwary's criticism centers around the team's recent string of defeats, including the first ODI series loss to Sri Lanka in 27 years, an unprecedented 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand at home, and the loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade. These setbacks, Tiwary argues, are direct consequences of Gambhir's inexperience and questionable coaching methods. He points to the stark contrast between Gambhir's success with IPL franchises and his failure with the national team, suggesting that the skills required for success in the two settings are significantly different. Tiwary emphasizes that Gambhir's aggressive personality, while potentially effective in the high-pressure environment of the IPL, may be detrimental to the more nuanced and strategic demands of international cricket coaching.
Tiwary specifically contrasts Gambhir's coaching style with that of Rahul Dravid, highlighting Dravid's success in fostering a positive team environment and achieving consistent results. He believes that experienced coaches like VVS Laxman and Sairaj Bahutule, both associated with the National Cricket Academy (NCA), would have been far more suitable candidates for the head coach position. Tiwary questions the process by which Gambhir secured the job, implying a lack of transparency and a prioritization of IPL success over broader coaching experience. He suggests that the appointment was a hasty decision based solely on Gambhir's achievements in the lucrative IPL league, ignoring the crucial differences in managing an IPL team and the complexities of coaching a national team.
Furthermore, Tiwary challenges the narrative surrounding Gambhir's role in Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) recent IPL title victory, asserting that Chandrakant Pandit, KKR's domestic coach, played a crucial yet often overlooked role. He argues that Gambhir's contribution, while valuable in boosting the confidence of underperforming players like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, was not the sole driving force behind KKR's success. This argument reinforces Tiwary's broader point about the necessity of recognizing and valuing the contributions of experienced and capable coaches, a point he believes has been overlooked in Gambhir's appointment. The underlying theme here is a critique of the potential for superficial assessment of coaching ability, focusing solely on immediate results within a narrow context, such as the IPL, while overlooking the long-term strategic planning and team management vital for consistent international success.
Beyond questioning Gambhir's coaching abilities, Tiwary also expresses concern about the handling of Ravichandran Ashwin's mid-series retirement from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He believes Ashwin's abrupt departure was a consequence of feeling insulted by the team management's decisions regarding playing time. Tiwary highlights the fact that despite Ashwin's established credentials and considerable experience, he was often given fewer overs to bowl than younger, less experienced spinners like Washington Sundar and Tanush Kotian. This perceived slight, Tiwary argues, shows a lack of respect for Ashwin's significant contributions and expertise. He suggests that Ashwin, known for his reserved nature, has likely absorbed this perceived insult without openly expressing his displeasure but that this type of treatment is unsustainable and ultimately damaging to team morale and performance. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of treating senior players with dignity and acknowledging their contributions, suggesting that Ashwin's experience warrants more respect and consideration within team strategy.
The entirety of Tiwary's argument points to a deeper issue within Indian cricket's management structure. His concerns raise critical questions about the selection criteria for national team coaches, the valuation of experience versus recent success, and the overall well-being and respect afforded to veteran players. The performance of the national team under Gambhir, coupled with Tiwary's insightful critique, underscores the need for a thorough re-evaluation of coaching strategies and player management practices within the Indian cricket system. The consequences of neglecting these aspects are clearly evident in the team's recent struggles and the high-profile retirement of a key player like Ashwin.