Manoj Tiwary
Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary didn’t hold back, branding current national coach Gautam Gambhir a “hypocrite” over the looming India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025. His stark criticism, deeply rooted in past statements, reverberates across the cricketing world as the subcontinental rivalry ignites again.
Blowing the Lid Off Hypocrisy
Tiwary’s blistering indictment stems from comments made by Gambhir before he became coach—suggesting that India should not play Pakistan until terrorism stopped. In light of the recent Pahalgam attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor, such sentiments resurfaced. Yet, Gambhir now presides over a team that will face Pakistan in the Asia Cup. For Tiwary, that amounts to clear hypocrisy. “Why can’t he just resign and say that I will not be part of Team India because you are playing with Pakistan?” he demanded.
The tear in the narrative is palpable: once a fiery critic of cross-border matches, Gambhir now leads the team that’s locked in to clash with Pakistan. For Tiwary, this is more than wet sawdust—it’s a betrayal of principles.
Clashing with Credibility: From Foreign Coaches to Child Stars
Tiwary didn’t stop at geopolitics. He called out Gambhir’s inconsistency regarding team composition and talent nurturing. An old clip shows Gambhir extolling Yashasvi Jaiswal as “the future of Team India” who shouldn’t be left out. Yet Jaiswal didn’t make the Asia Cup squad—prompting Tiwary to highlight the coach’s double-talk. “A lot of things—he said, and he has just done the opposite,” Tiwary observed.
This skeptical scrutiny is a deeper probe into whether coaches walk their talk—or merely preach it when convenient.
Echoes of the Past: History Between Them
The chasm between Tiwary and Gambhir isn’t new. It stretches back to their days at Kolkata Knight Riders and culminated in a heated face-off during a 2015 Ranji Trophy match. Tiwary has previously charged Gambhir with abusing him and his family—indicative of a fractured bond.
This isn’t just grudge—it’s personal scars manifesting into public critique.
Riding the Political Tide—or Just Truth?
Tiwary’s critique has ignited a firestorm. Some media saw it as a PR salvo, and critics like Aakash Chopra accused Tiwary of getting carried away—suggesting selective editing of his comments. Tiwary responded via social media that his words were twisted, and what made headlines was just “four-five lines” from a 20-25 minute interview.
This underscores a broader tension: is Tiwary challenging hypocrisy or just cashing in on controversy?
A Coach Underfire: Results and Recognition
Tiwary’s accusations extend beyond words. He pointed to the poor results under Gambhir’s early tenure as India’s coach: series losses in ODIs and Tests, including a whitewash at home to New Zealand and failure to reach the World Test Championship final. While back-to-back IPL successes propelled Gambhir into the job, Tiwary deems it an appointment based on reputation—not coaching acumen.
He also accused Gambhir of unfairly taking credit for KKR’s collective triumphs, suggesting a “PR machinery” that elevated Gambhir above his teammates like Jacques Kallis, Sunil Narine, and Tiwary himself.
This confrontation isn’t just about personalities. It raises core questions about leadership in Indian cricket. Do statements made off-camera bind coaches, even when circumstances change? Can selective memory—of both words and omissions—undermine authority and credibility?
Tiwary’s charge is a warning: if those at the helm do not align actions with their words, their moral authority becomes questionable.
What Lies Ahead?
With India set to face Pakistan in Dubai on September 14, tension is mounting. Will Gambhir address the hypocrisy charge head-on, offering explanation or context? Can Tiwary provide proof of selective media cuts, or will his remarks be overshadowed by results on the field?
As the Asia Cup looms, this clash of words promises as much drama as the match itself. For cricket fans, it’s a lesson in accountability—and a reminder that when actions don’t match words, criticism can become inevitable.
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