Sanjay Manjrekar vs. Gautam Gambhir: A Social Media Clash Sparks Controversy

Mumbai: Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir addresses the media ahead of the team’s departure to their much anticipated tour of Australia and spoke about team strategy, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and his form. But Gambhir’s presser, however, soon drew flak with former cricketer and reputed commentator Sanjay Manjrekar took to social media to make a provocative statement on Gambhir.

Soon after the press conference, Manjrekar tweeted that he just watched Gautam Gambhir’s press conference. BCCI would be wise to keep Gautam away from such duties. Allow him to work things behind the scenes. He cannot say or be deferential. I would rather Rohit or Agarkar to address the media.”

The open criticism of Gambhir received Manjrekar has led to debate among many who feel that it was an unwarranted attack on the head coach. It is not the first time Manjrekar has made comments about players on Twitter, as he also insulted Ravindra Jadeja in the past. Gambhir has now become his latest target.

But Gambhir has already been under pressure, in particular, since Team India lost at home recently at the hands of New Zealand, who swept the visitors 0-3 in a Test series. All eyes will be on Gambhir as Team India heads in to the Border Gavaskar Trophy. If India lose, the responsibility for the team’s debacle could take a toll on the national selectors and Gambhir could find the furore surrounding his role as the coach further causing him hurt.

Conclusion: Team India’s upcoming Australia tour has been given a fresh fuel ahead in the form of Sanjay Manjrekar’s controversial tweet. However, Gambhir is finding himself under the lens for both his handling of the media and his coaching strategies and is commanding little sympathy. With the head coach’s stakes as high as they have ever been, the Border-Gavaskar series looms.

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