Gautam Gambhir reacts to Tharoor's PM Modi post, says pitted against his own team
IND vs NZ: India head coach Gautam Gambhir found himself in the spotlight after Shashi Tharoor publicly lauded his role ahead of the New Zealand series. Gambhir's sharp response on X has triggered a massive debate on social media.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir created a stir on social media on Thursday, January 22, with his latest tweet. After India’s first T20I win against New Zealand in Nagpur, Gambhir reacted to a tweet praising him, but his response hinted that he does not enjoy complete authority over the Indian team, setting off widespread discussion online.
The tweet he responded to was posted by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who had earlier shared that he met his old friend Gautam Gambhir in Nagpur and held a frank conversation with the India head coach about the team.
Tharoor spoke warmly of Gambhir, describing his role as the second-toughest job in India, behind only that of the Prime Minister, praise that inadvertently led to Gambhir’s controversial reply.
“In Nagpur, enjoyed a good & frank discussion with my old friend Gautam Gambhir, the man with the hardest job in India after the PM’s! He is being second-guessed by millions daily but stays calm and walks on undaunted. A word of appreciation for his quiet determination and able leadership. Wishing him all success,” Tharoor wrote a day ahead of the opening T20I of the series.
Gambhir reacted to the tweet late on Thursday night and hit back at critics who have called him out over the Indian team’s transition phase. Gambhir said that, contrary to popular belief, he does not have “unlimited authority” over the Indian team and that clarity would emerge once the dust settles.
He kept his remark ambiguous, without making anything explicit.
“When the dust settles, truth and logic about a coach’s supposedly ‘unlimited authority’ will become clear. Till then I’m amused at being pitted against my own who are the very best!” Gambhir wrote on Twitter.
A section of fans on social media argued that the remark was aimed at the Indian selection committee, particularly chairman Ajit Agarkar. However, Gambhir did not name anyone in his post, nor did he explicitly hint at the selectors.
Gautam Gambhir’s Dramatic Tenure With the Indian Team
Since Gambhir took charge of the Indian team, the side has seen major changes across all three formats. From appointing Suryakumar Yadav as India’s T20I captain to the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin from Test cricket, the team has undergone significant transition.
More recently, Shubman Gill’s inclusion in the T20I set-up was rolled back during the T20 World Cup selection meeting, with the vice-captain being left out of the squad.
The instability and rapid changes in personnel have unsettled many fans. India’s losses in Test series both at home and in Australia, along with their first-ever home ODI series defeat against New Zealand, have further added to the scrutiny.
Gambhir’s message on social media appeared to reflect frustration over the narrative surrounding his role. At present, however, it remains unclear who the India head coach was specifically targeting with his remarks.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir created a stir on social media on Thursday, January 22, with his latest tweet. After India’s first T20I win against New Zealand in Nagpur, Gambhir reacted to a tweet praising him, but his response hinted that he does not enjoy complete authority over the Indian team, setting off widespread discussion online.
The tweet he responded to was posted by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who had earlier shared that he met his old friend Gautam Gambhir in Nagpur and held a frank conversation with the India head coach about the team.
Tharoor spoke warmly of Gambhir, describing his role as the second-toughest job in India, behind only that of the Prime Minister, praise that inadvertently led to Gambhir’s controversial reply.
“In Nagpur, enjoyed a good & frank discussion with my old friend Gautam Gambhir, the man with the hardest job in India after the PM’s! He is being second-guessed by millions daily but stays calm and walks on undaunted. A word of appreciation for his quiet determination and able leadership. Wishing him all success,” Tharoor wrote a day ahead of the opening T20I of the series.
Gambhir reacted to the tweet late on Thursday night and hit back at critics who have called him out over the Indian team’s transition phase. Gambhir said that, contrary to popular belief, he does not have “unlimited authority” over the Indian team and that clarity would emerge once the dust settles.
He kept his remark ambiguous, without making anything explicit.
“When the dust settles, truth and logic about a coach’s supposedly ‘unlimited authority’ will become clear. Till then I’m amused at being pitted against my own who are the very best!” Gambhir wrote on Twitter.
A section of fans on social media argued that the remark was aimed at the Indian selection committee, particularly chairman Ajit Agarkar. However, Gambhir did not name anyone in his post, nor did he explicitly hint at the selectors.
Gautam Gambhir’s Dramatic Tenure With the Indian Team
Since Gambhir took charge of the Indian team, the side has seen major changes across all three formats. From appointing Suryakumar Yadav as India’s T20I captain to the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin from Test cricket, the team has undergone significant transition.
More recently, Shubman Gill’s inclusion in the T20I set-up was rolled back during the T20 World Cup selection meeting, with the vice-captain being left out of the squad.
The instability and rapid changes in personnel have unsettled many fans. India’s losses in Test series both at home and in Australia, along with their first-ever home ODI series defeat against New Zealand, have further added to the scrutiny.
Gambhir’s message on social media appeared to reflect frustration over the narrative surrounding his role. At present, however, it remains unclear who the India head coach was specifically targeting with his remarks.