Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary openly criticised head coach Gautam Gambhir following India’s 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Tiwary specifically targeted the team environment under Gambhir, suggesting it played a role in the early retirement of senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket.
Tiwary Criticises Gambhir Over Team Environment
“Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma wanted to play more, were deliberately removed by Gautam Gambhir,” Tiwary told India Today. The former cricketer dismissed Gambhir’s claim that India is undergoing a “transition phase,” arguing that the team did not need one.
“This whole ‘transition phase’ talk—I don’t agree with it. India doesn’t need a transition. New Zealand or Zimbabwe need transition. Our domestic cricket is full of talented performers waiting for chances,” he said.
Tiwary added that the environment created around the team forced two of India’s most experienced players out. “Because of this unnecessary transition, our star players—like Virat and Rohit—who wanted to keep playing Test cricket and protect its sanctity, slowly stepped back because of the atmosphere created around them,” he explained.
The sudden retirements of Kohli and Rohit in May 2025, just before India’s England tour, sent shockwaves through the cricketing world and led to Shubman Gill taking over as Test captain, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy.
Tiwary Defends Players’ Technique
Tiwary also criticised Gambhir for attributing India’s loss to technical deficiencies in the team. According to him, a coach’s primary role is to guide and prepare players, not point fingers after a defeat.
“You cannot blame players’ technique after losing. As a coach, your job is to teach, not to blame,” Tiwary said.
He stressed that if batters lacked proper defence against spin, it reflected poor preparation rather than inherent weakness. “If the batters didn’t have solid defence, why weren’t they trained before the match?
When he played, Gambhir himself was a good player of spin, so he should teach more,” Tiwary added. His comments reflect growing concern about the direction in which the Indian Test team is heading under new leadership, especially after losing crucial home games.
After the Kolkata loss, India will face immense pressure heading into the second Test in Guwahati. The team must secure a win to avoid losing the home series, with attention now on pitch conditions that could favour either side.
The Eden Gardens surface, which assisted South Africa’s spinners, proved costly for the Men in Blue. Analysts noted that India’s decision to prepare a turning track backfired, echoing their struggles on similar pitches against New Zealand last year.
Tiwary’s critique highlights broader concerns about accountability and mentorship in the team. Many former players and analysts argue that a strong coaching approach should emphasise skill development and strategy, particularly for a side integrating younger talent after the retirement of veterans.
India Faces Pressure Ahead of Second Test
The defeat also impacted India’s standing in the World Test Championship (WTC), dropping them to fourth, while South Africa climbed to second. The series opener has raised questions about team selection, strategy, and adaptability under challenging conditions.
Gambhir, however, defended the team, pointing out the youth of the current squad and ongoing structural changes. Several senior players, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin, have retired in quick succession, following the phase-out of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ishant Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane.
Despite criticism, Gambhir emphasised that the team is still evolving and that such transitions take time to stabilize. India will now need both strategic planning and mental resilience in Guwahati to avoid a disappointing series outcome at home.
