Even as calls intensify for removal as coach in the wake of the 2-0 Test whitewash handed to India by South Africa, there is now a fresh twist in the allegations against him.
Gambhir was already considered responsible for the Test exits of and Rohit Sharma. Now a former Indian cricketer has accused him of being the reason why left international cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Abrupt Retirement
Ashwin announced his retirement midway through the Test tour of Australia and returned home. India would go on to lose the series 3-1 and surrender the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to the Aussies. It was also the last time India saw Rohit and Kohli in Test colours.
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Manoj Tiwary’s Accusations Against Gautam Gambhir
According to Manoj Tiwary, Gambhir made Ashwin ‘insecure’ and ‘uncomfortable’ which is why the spin veteran called time on a glittering career. Ashwin’s last Test was in late 2024 vs Australia and he quit international cricket as a whole and returned to India. Rohit and Kohli had already left T20Is after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and now play only ODIs. They face an uphill battle to be in contention for the ODI World Cup in 2027.
Tiwary believes that the moment Gambhir brought in Washington Sundar to take Ashwin’s place, the legend no longer felt the like the coach trusted him and it hastened his decision to leave. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Tiwary minced no words when he spoke about Gambhir’s role in the ouster of Ashwin, Rohit and Kohli.
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“You (Gambhir) made Ashwin insecure just by bringing Washington Sundar from outside the squad. It’s a clear indication that you no longer trust Ashwin. In my opinion, it made him uncomfortable, and that’s why he retired in Australia,” he said.
“Obviously, both Rohit and Virat wanted to play Test cricket but unfortunately, the scenario was such that they themselves said goodbye to that. Things like these never make a player feel settled in the squad,” he added.
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India’s Brilliant White-Ball Form Under Gautam Gambhir
Despite India’s recent Test debacle, sources have told NDTV that the BCCI is continuing with Gambhir as coach. While India’s Test form has been poor, their form in the other two formats is pretty good. India won the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup this year and are now gunning for a historic third T20 World Cup in early 2026.
Can India Still Qualify for the World Test Championship Final?
Gambhir took over after Rahul Dravid stepped down. Under him India have lost two home Test series in consecutive calendar years. They have nine more Tests in this WTC Cycle and must win as many as they can to finish in the top two on the WTC points table and play in the WTC Final in 2027. Not impossible but very difficult.