Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Nitish Rana has strongly defended Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir after Manoj Tiwary’s recent criticism following the national team’s embarrassing drubbing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia.
The former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter had called Gautam Gambhir a “hypocrite” and slammed the coach for pushing the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma to the forefront to deal with all the issues. Further, Tiwary had questioned Gambhir’s success at KKR, suggesting that his public relations game allowed him to take credit for the team’s achievements.
Performance doesn’t need any PR: Nitish Rana slams Manoj Tiwary
Reacting to the controversial statement, Nitish Rana, who played with Gambhir at Delhi and KKR in the Indian Premier League (IPL), shot down these claims by labeling them as Manoj Tiwary’s insecurities. Rana emphasized Gambhir’s positive influence, adding that the legendary cricketer’s contributions to KKR’s triumphs go beyond the limelight.
Read Also: Virat Kohli’s ban comes calling from England after Sam Konstas’ stained episode
Slamming Manoj Tiwary, Nitish Rana posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle: “Criticism should be based on facts, not personal insecurities. Gauti bhaiyya is one of the most selfless players I’ve ever met. He shoulders responsibility in times of distress like no other. Performance doesn’t need any PR. The trophies speak for themselves.”
Criticism should be based on facts not personal insecurities. Gauti bhaiyya is one of the most selfless players I’ve ever met. He shoulders responsibility in times of distress like no other. Performance doesn’t need any PR. The trophies speak for themselves.
— Nitish Rana (@NitishRana_27) January 9, 2025
Gautam Gambhir is a hypocrite: Manoj Tiwary
Manoj Tiwary has criticized both India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, and batting coach, Abhishek Nayar, questioning their value and accusing them of blindly agreeing with whatever the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, says. He went on to label Gambhir a “hypocrite,” alleging that the Indian head coach does not practice what he preaches.
Manoj Tiwary was quoted as saying by News18 Bangla: “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. 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.”
Read Also: Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma’s critics taken to the cleaners in the recent explosion
Manoj Tiwary says Gautam Gambhir didn’t guide KKR to IPL title single-handedly
Furthermore, Manoj Tiwary has weighed in on the rumored tension between Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma, questioning how they could work effectively together. Tiwary highlighted the contrasting leadership experiences. Tiwary also said that Gambhir did not win the IPL titles alone, as the entire team, including players like Jacques Kallis, Sunil Narine, and himself, contributed to the success. Tiwary also pointed out that Gambhir took much of the credit for KKR’s achievements.
Tiwary had added, “How will they work together? Rohit is a World Cup-winning captain. While Gambhir led KKR to IPL titles both as a captain and mentor. Gambhir didn’t guide KKR to the title single-handedly, as we all performed as a unit. Jacques Kallis, Sunil Narine, and I all contributed to the cause. But who took the credit?”
Notably, India has lost six out of the 10 Tests since Gautam Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as head coach of the Indian cricket team. Under Gambhir’s leadership, India lost an ODI series to Sri Lanka. Gambhir’s next major challenge is the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.