Sanjay Manjrekar took a light-hearted jab at Gautam Gambhir, saying the India head coach needs to relax when responding to questions about player criticism during press conferences. After the fourth Test, Gautam Gambhir didn’t hold back while responding to those doubting Shubman Gill’s abilities as captain, delivering a typically direct response in defence of the young skipper.
Sanjay Manjrekar has asked Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir to ‘take a chill pill’ and ‘relax’ a bit over the latter’s staunch comments against Shubman Gill in the aftermath of the Old Trafford Test.
Gautam Gambhir in strong defence of Shubman Gill at Post Press Conference
India secured a fighting draw at Old Trafford after conceding a 311-run lead in the first innings and going down 0/2 in the second. Gill, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja all scored brilliant centuries. Soon after, Gautam Gambhir declared to media that anyone who had doubts over Gill didn’t ‘understand cricket’.
“No one has any doubt in Shubman Gill’s talent. Those who did, don’t know cricket; they can only talk. Some players need time to blossom in international cricket. And to be honest, no one in the dressing room is surprised that Shubman has done well on this tour. And honestly, even if he didn’t perform, no one would have pointed fingers.
Those who know cricket understand what he is capable of. And the important thing is that he is living up to his expectations, his own talent and captaincy. Even this thing that people talk about all the time, ‘Captaincy pressure’, you don’t see anything of that kind when he goes into bat,” Gautam Gambhir said in the press conference.
Gautam Gill was under the scanner before the start of the series as he was appointed the Test skipper despite not proving his red-ball batting credentials. However, the 25-year-old shut his critics with a series to remember, scoring over 700 runs. Sanjay Manjrekar asserted that certain questions get under Gautam Gambhir’s skin and pointed out that doubting Shubman Gill is also one of them.
Sanjay Manjrekar advises Gautam Gambhir to calm down
Former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has urged the Indian team’s coach, Gautam Gambhir, to moderate his combative tone in press conferences and embrace challenging questions.
Gautam Gambhir was at his blunt best following India’s heroic draw in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester. India resiliently batted out the entire fifth day, with Washington Sundar (101*) and Ravindra Jadeja (107*) forging an unbeaten 203-run stand, after KL Rahul (90) and Shubman Gill (103) fell relatively early.
In the post-match presser, Gautam Gambhir seized the moment to lambast critics questioning his tactics, particularly those doubting Shubman Gill’s captaincy, asserting, “Whoever doubts Gill doesn’t know anything about cricket”.
Sanjay Manjrekar, however, found Gautam Gambhir’s remarks abrasive, arguing that scepticism about Gill’s leadership is valid.
“Certain questions clearly get under his skin, especially about Gill as a young captain and batter. Those doubts are legitimate-many who deeply understand cricket question whether this was the right time to hand him the captaincy,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on JioHotstar.
The former cricketer urged Gautam Gambhir to perceive the divide between critics and him as he reminded the head coach that everyone involved ultimately wants the best for Indian cricket.
“I mean, people who understand cricket also wonder whether it’s the right time to get that opportunity, and I hope he can just understand that better, and it’s never you guys think and we guys think we are all part of the same industry and the country as well,” he added.
He further told Gautam Gambhir to develop the ability to encourage tough questions in press conferences, suggesting he should not take criticism too personally and approach such moments with a lighter attitude.
“So I just want him to sort of take a chill pill sometimes and just take it easy and answer questions and encourage questions that are tough, and I don’t know whether that’s likely to happen. I’d like to see at some stage Gautam Gambhir having that quality,” he concluded.
Sanjay Manjrekar has slammed Gautam Gambhir’s selection tactics in the series
Sanjay Manjrekar argued that India’s success in the series owes more to the players’ resilience than Gautam Gambhir’s tactics.
“India have performed well despite some of his tactical missteps. Let’s not forget: India were swept 3-0 at home by New Zealand, who then lost comfortably to Australia. The fight we’ve seen? That’s the players’ grit. Tactically, Gautam Gambhir hasn’t always made it easier, particularly with selections.
“I feel India has done well despite some of his tactical decisions. Let’s not forget: India lost 3-0 at home, New Zealand lost comfortably to Australia. The fight we’ve seen in this team? That’s down to the players. Because tactically, Gambhir hasn’t always made things easier – especially with some of his selections. And to suggest that Karun Nair ‘wasn’t dropped’… come on. You guys see it as a drop; for them, it’s about ‘picking the right team’,” he added.
Gautam Gambhir and captain Gill have prioritised bolstering the batting lineup over including an attacking spinner. This gamble paid off in Manchester, where India secured a draw despite an injury to wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.
However, the bowling changes have sometimes defied logic, with instances of Sundar being under-utilised and Shardul Thakur kept off the attack for long periods. The experiments with the Number 3 slot in the batting lineup and the frequent changes in the pace bowling department have underlined impatience, uncertainty, and a lack of clear planning.
Critics have questioned the inclusion of bowlers who lack the ability to pick up wickets on the placid England tracks. They have argued that the team should consider picking Kuldeep Yadav, who is an attacking bowler, to balance the attack. As India head into the decisive fifth Test at The Oval on July 31, all eyes will be on potential changes to the playing XI and Gautam Gambhir’s approach in the spotlight.
Gautam Gambhir’s unapologetic style reflects his passion and commitment to shielding his players, resonating with fans who admire his defiance against external criticism. His track record as a combative leader-evident during his playing days and IPL captaincy-suggests this intensity is integral to his identity.
However, his confrontational demeanour may reflect turmoil in his mind and an attempt to silence critics at every possible opportunity. As Manjrekar notes, Gautam Gambhir could benefit from balancing his protective instincts with a more open, composed approach, and letting the results speak for themselves.
India’s selection choices on the tour have indeed highlighted a conservative strategy that may need adjustment to level the series. With nothing to lose, Gautam Gambhir may prefer to be more flexible with the selection policy, indicating that, apart from unyielding passion, he also has the ability to learn from mistakes.
Also Read: ENG vs IND : Shubman Gill Appointed Test Skipper For Red Ball