Manoj Tiwary Alleges Gautam Gambhir Abused His Family and Criticizes His Leadership in IPL and Coaching Tenure: Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) teammate Manoj Tiwary has made some startling allegations against Gautam Gambhir, accusing him of abusing his family and making derogatory comments about Sourav Ganguly during their playing days. The revelation sheds light on the strained relationship between the two cricketers, who not only played together for KKR but also represented the Delhi state team.
In a recent interview, Tiwary opened up about the incidents that transpired during their time together in the KKR setup. He shared that Gambhir’s behavior during a Ranji Trophy match in Delhi was particularly harsh, where the former cricketer allegedly used foul language toward his family and made negative remarks about Ganguly, who is widely regarded as one of India’s finest captains. Shubman Gill to lead India in Sydney Test?’: Ex-Indian cricketer draws attention to visuals
**Tiwary Calls Gambhir a Hypocrite**
Tiwary, who was part of the KKR squad when the franchise won the IPL title twice under Gambhir’s leadership in 2012 and 2014, expressed his frustration over Gambhir’s alleged hypocrisy. He claimed that while Gambhir often took the credit for KKR’s successes, it was the collective effort of the team that contributed to the victory. According to Tiwary, players like Jacques Kallis, Sunil Narine, and himself played crucial roles, but Gambhir’s PR machine made sure he received the lion’s share of recognition.
“Everyone heard what Gautam Gambhir said when he fought with me during a Ranji Trophy match. Whether it was about bad-mouthing Sourav Ganguly or abusing my family, he was protected by some individuals. This is the PR I am talking about,” Tiwary told News18 Bangla. He further added that Gambhir’s leadership in KKR should not be viewed as a solo effort and that the contributions of all players, including himself, should be acknowledged.
**Criticism of Gambhir’s Coaching Tenure**
Tiwary also extended his criticism to Gambhir’s current role as the head coach of the Indian national team. He pointed out the disparity in the way players from different regions are treated, mentioning how players like Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Nayar, both from Mumbai, are given prominence while players like Jalaj Saxena, despite performing well, remain unheard.
“Whatever the coach says, Morne Morkel, who came from Lucknow Super Giants, will agree. The environment and PR allow Gambhir to take all the credit. He doesn’t practice what he preaches,” Tiwary alleged.
Tiwary’s criticism of Gambhir’s coaching philosophy comes at a time when Gambhir is under scrutiny due to India’s recent performance. His tenure began with a series loss against Sri Lanka and was followed by a humiliating 3-0 defeat against New Zealand in Tests at home.
**Gambhir’s IPL Success and Current Role**
Under Gambhir’s captaincy, KKR won the IPL title twice, but Tiwary remains adamant that these victories were a result of collective effort, not just Gambhir’s leadership. After retiring from international cricket, Gambhir returned to KKR as a mentor for the 2024 IPL season, helping the franchise secure yet another IPL title in 2024.
Despite the allegations, Gambhir has continued to maintain a significant presence in the cricketing world, with his eyes now set on the upcoming white-ball series against England. The series, which will feature five T20Is and three ODIs, is set to begin on January 22, 2025. Following this, Gambhir and the Indian team will head to the UAE for the ICC Champions Trophy, where they will face Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the group stage.
As Gambhir prepares for these major assignments, it remains to be seen how his leadership will evolve and whether Tiwary’s allegations will have any impact on his future in Indian cricket.