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Manoj Tiwary, a former Indian cricketer, has launched a scathing critique of Gautam Gambhir's tenure as the Indian cricket team's head coach. Tiwary, now a deputy sports minister in West Bengal, points to India's recent string of defeats as evidence of Gambhir's inadequacy. This includes the unprecedented 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home and the loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the first such defeat in a decade. Tiwary's criticism stems not only from objective results but also from a personal history with Gambhir, involving a past altercation in the KKR dressing room during the 2013 IPL. He argues that Gambhir's success with IPL franchises like KKR and Lucknow Super Giants doesn't translate to the same level of success at the national level, citing a lack of experience in coaching at the highest international level.
Tiwary contrasts Gambhir's appointment with the perceived natural succession that should have seen VVS Laxman or Sairaj Bahutule take the reins, given their experience within the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He suggests the process by which Gambhir was selected was flawed, highlighting a decision based on IPL success rather than a holistic assessment of coaching capabilities. This, according to Tiwary, is directly responsible for the subsequent poor performance of the national team. He explicitly states that Gambhir’s aggressive nature, while possibly effective in the IPL environment, is not conducive to the leadership required at the international level, contributing to the team's struggles.
Furthermore, Tiwary challenges the narrative surrounding Gambhir's contribution to KKR's IPL title win, asserting that Chandrakant Pandit, the team's domestic coach, deserves equal credit. He questions the prevalent assumption that Gambhir single-handedly revitalized the team, implying a more collaborative effort contributed to the success. This underlines Tiwary’s broader argument about the importance of experience and holistic coaching approaches, arguing that attributing success solely to one individual overlooks the contributions of the wider coaching staff and the players themselves.
A significant part of Tiwary's criticism focuses on the handling of Ravichandran Ashwin's abrupt retirement during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He believes that the team management's decisions regarding Ashwin's playing time, particularly the increased bowling opportunities given to other spinners like Washington Sundar and Tanush Kotian, amounted to an insult to a player of Ashwin's caliber and experience. Tiwary emphasizes that while Ashwin is known for his quiet demeanor, this treatment is not acceptable and suggests that the seasoned spinner will eventually voice his concerns. The incident highlights what Tiwary considers a lack of respect and dignity towards senior players within the team's management structure.
Tiwary’s critique is not merely a personal vendetta against Gambhir, but a broader commentary on the standards of coaching and team management within Indian cricket. He advocates for a more considered approach to selecting national coaches, prioritizing coaching experience over IPL success. He also underscores the importance of respecting and valuing the contributions of veteran players, ensuring their dignity and well-being are prioritized alongside performance metrics. His comments highlight a potential rift within the Indian cricket establishment, raising questions about the leadership and decision-making processes within the team and sparking a debate about the optimal criteria for selecting national coaches.