Nitish Rana on Gautam Gambhir vs Manoj Tiwary Controversy: After India’s defeat to Australia in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, head coach Gautam Gambhir is being criticized, amid which Indian batsman Nitish Rana has come out in his support. After India failed to retain the BGT after losing the series 3-1 for the first time in 10 years, fans and former cricketers have been vocal in criticizing the players and management. Gambhir has also been in the news for India’s disappointing performance in the Test format, with the team achieving success only once in the last eight Test matches.
After facing criticism from fans, former cricketer Manoj Tiwary has become the latest player to criticize Gambhir seriously, as India still looks for a way out of the turmoil. Nitish, who was with Gautam Gambhir with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), supported his former team mentor. According to him, criticism should be based on facts. Gauti Bhaiya is one of the most selfless players I have ever seen. He takes responsibility like no one else in times of crisis. Performance doesn’t need any PR. The trophies themselves tell it all,” Nitish wrote on X.
Gambhir’s tenure started with India’s tour of Sri Lanka. While India were a force to be reckoned with in the T20I format, the ODI series was a different story. After the first ODI ended in a nerve-wracking draw, India lost the next two games, suffering their first bilateral series defeat in the format against Sri Lanka in a span of 27 years. After the ODI series, Bangladesh toured India, which included two Tests and three T20Is. The defeat of the ODI series became a distant memory, in which India performed brilliantly and won the entire series.
The path to the final of the World Test Championship seemed safe. New Zealand had come to India to play three Tests, which were going to determine the fate of the WTC final. While India were clear favorites on paper, New Zealand came up with different plans. The Kiwis dominated India as they stunned India and cruised to a historic 3-0 series win. After facing the first ever whitewash at home in the Test format, India tried to make a comeback in Australia by trying to defend the BGT in Australia.
The title defense started on a record-breaking note, with India thrashing Australia all around the park in Perth. Led by Jasprit Bumrah, India headed into Adelaide with a resounding 295-run win. Despite breaking the record in Perth, the game remained in Australia’s favor in the day-night Test. India chased Australia throughout the series and lost the series 3–1, for the first time in a decade.
