Former cricketer-turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has urged India head coach Gautam Gambhir to tone down during his press conference while answering tough questions.
Gambhir was once again seen at his blunt best after India pulled off a hard-fought draw in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford, Manchester.
After conceding a huge first innings lead of 311 runs, the visitors were reeling at 0/2 in the second innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan bagging a duck.
However, a 188-run stand between captain Shubman Gill and KL Rahul kept India in the contest before Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja earned a spirited draw with an unbeaten 203-run partnership.
After the game, Gambhir didn’t spare the opportunity to hit back at his critics, who had questioned his tactics and went on to say that whoever doubted Gill doesn’t know anything about cricket.
The comments weren’t well received by Manjrekar, who said that doubts on Gill’s leadership were valid and asked Gambhir to tone down and encourage tough questions.
“Yeah, you can tell there are certain questions that get under his skin - especially when people question Gill as a young captain and batter. And honestly, those are valid doubts. Even people who deeply understand cricket wonder whether this was the right time to hand him that opportunity. I just hope we can all understand this better. It's not about ‘you guys think’ and ‘we think’ - we're all part of the same industry and the same country. I'd just like to see him take a chill pill, relax a bit, and be open to tough questions. Whether that will happen, I’m not sure,” said Manjrekar on JioHotstar.
Moreover, Manjrekar claimed that India have done well on the tour of England despite Gambhir’s tactical blunders.
“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.
Questions have been raised on India’s team selection as wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav continues to warm benches even after the fourth Test. Gambhir and Gill have been more keen on batting depth instead of bringing an attacking spinner in the XI.
India are currently 1-2 behind in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy but have a golden opportunity to draw the series in the fifth Test, set to begin on July 31 at The Oval.
