January 10, 2025

“Performance Speaks for Itself”: Nitish Rana Fires Back at Manoj Tiwary Over Gautam Gambhir Criticism

Nitish Rana has accused Manoj Tiwary of criticizing Gautam Gambhir out of “personal insecurities.”

Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Nitish Rana has strongly defended India men’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, countering recent criticism from Manoj Tiwary. Rana labeled Tiwary’s remarks, which accused Gambhir of using his “PR” to claim undue credit for his success with KKR, as a reflection of Tiwary’s “insecurities.”

Tiwary’s comments followed India’s 3-1 defeat in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Gambhir faced scrutiny for adopting defensive tactics. Having played under Gambhir’s leadership during KKR’s victorious IPL 2012 campaign, Tiwary’s criticisms have stirred debate.

Rana, who regards Gambhir as a mentor and celebrated an IPL title with him in 2024, firmly backed the former captain, emphasizing his positive influence on the players and the team.

“Criticism should be based on facts not personal insecurities. Gauti bhaiyya is one of the most selfless players I’ve ever met. He shoulders responsibility in times of distress like no other. Performance doesn’t need any PR. The trophies speak for themselves,” Rana wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Manoj Tiwary’s comments were made during an interview with News18 Bangla, where he didn’t hold back in criticizing Gautam Gambhir. Tiwary went as far as calling Gambhir a “hypocrite,” alleging that assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Morne Morkel lacked the courage to challenge the head coach’s decisions.

The remarks have added fuel to an ongoing debate about Gambhir’s leadership style, particularly in the wake of India’s recent struggles in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, Nitish Rana has staunchly defended Gambhir, dismissing Tiwary’s claims as being rooted in personal grievances rather than objective analysis.

“Gambhir didn’t guide KKR to the title single-handedly as we all performed as a unit,” Tiwary told News18 Bangla. “Jacques Kallis, Sunil Narine and I, all contributed to the cause. But who took the credit? There is an environment and PR that allows him to take all the credit.”

“Gautam Gambhir is a hypocrite. He doesn’t do what he says. The captain (Rohit) is from Mumbai, Abhishek Nayar is from Mumbai. Rohit has been pushed to the forefront. There is no one to speak for Jalaj Saxena. He performs well but keeps quiet,” Tiwary said. “What is the use of a bowling coach? Whatever the coach says, he will agree. Morne Morkel came from Lucknow Super Giants. Abhishek Nayar was at Kolkata Knight Riders with Gambhir and the Indian head coach knows that he will not go against his instructions,” he added.

India has faced a challenging phase in Test cricket under Gautam Gambhir’s tenure, losing six out of the ten matches played since he took over the head coach role from Rahul Dravid. These results have put Gambhir under scrutiny, with many questioning his strategies and approach. The spotlight on him will only intensify as he prepares for his next significant challenge: the 2025 Champions Trophy, scheduled to take place in Pakistan and the UAE in February. This high-stakes tournament will not only test Gambhir’s leadership but also the team’s ability to recover from recent setbacks and deliver on the global stage. With mounting expectations, it could serve as a defining moment in Gambhir’s coaching career and India’s journey in international cricket.

Further reading: Champions Trophy 2025: PCB Relocates ODI Tri-Series, Raising Concerns Over Stadium Renovations