Gambhir Slammed For Kohli, Rohit’s Exits: ‘They Stepped Back Because…’ | Cricket News

Gautam Gambhir (R) and Virat Kohli (L) have shared a topsy-turvy relationship – (Sportzpics Image)

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has once again lashed out at Gautam Gambhir for his post-match comments after the men’s Test team’s 30-run loss to South Africa at the Eden Gardens. Tiwary took exception to Gambhir’s comments about the team not showing good enough technique and temperament on the turning track in Kolkata, saying that as the head coach, the Delhi man should ‘teach’ and not ‘blame’.

Gambhir’s remarks came in light of criticism about the pitch at the Eden. Some observers felt that India made a mistake by asking for a dry, turning track, which, just like last year’s 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand, backfired by allowing the less experienced visiting spinners to dominate using the abundant help.

“You cannot blame players’ technique after losing,” Tiwary said, as quoted by India Today. “As a coach, your job is to teach, not to blame. If the batters didn’t have solid defence, why weren’t they trained before the match? When he played, Gambhir himself was a good player of spin, so he should teach more. The results aren’t in India’s favour,” he added.

The head coach, who has now lost more Tests than he has won since taking over the job last year, had also mentioned that his team was still ‘young’. Those backing him have defended him by saying he has overseen a huge transition in Indian cricket, losing Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Rohit Sharma in quick succession, after the phasing out of the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ishant Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane.

However, Tiwary said Kohli and Rohit wanted to ‘protect’ Test cricket but were made to step back by the ‘atmosphere created around them’.

“This whole ‘transition phase’ talk—I don’t agree with it. India doesn’t need a transition. New Zealand or Zimbabwe need transition. Our domestic cricket is full of talented performers waiting for chances. Because of this unnecessary transition, our star players—like Virat and Rohit—who wanted to keep playing Test cricket and protect its sanctity, slowly stepped back because of the atmosphere created around them,” Tiwary added.