Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has been vocal about his challenging relationship with Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian national team. The duo, who once shared a cordial bond, eventually fell out, leading to a series of public confrontations, misunderstandings, and, as Tiwary reveals, threats from the senior cricketer. In a recent interview, Tiwary shared the complexities of their association, shedding light on how media attention and on-field dynamics contributed to the deterioration of their relationship.
The Start of the Strained Relationship
Manoj Tiwary began his IPL journey with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2010. Initially, things seemed to be on the right track as he got along well with Gambhir. However, Tiwary revealed that this camaraderie quickly turned sour. In an interview with Lallantop, he shared his frustration over Gambhir’s erratic behavior towards him. “I would get scolded without any reason. I couldn’t understand why he would target me,” said Tiwary.
According to Tiwary, the turning point came when he started getting more attention from the media due to his consistent performances, especially when compared to other local KKR players. “As a promising youngster, the media started giving me attention, and I believe Gambhir didn’t react well to that,” he added.
Tiwary’s growing prominence seemed to fuel Gambhir’s insecurities, which ultimately led to frequent confrontations and harsh words from the former KKR captain. This, Tiwary believes, played a key role in souring their relationship.
On-Field Confrontations and Threats
One of the most infamous incidents between Gambhir and Tiwary took place during the 2015 Ranji Trophy, but Tiwary revealed that this wasn’t the only conflict they had. According to him, tensions began much earlier. He recalled a particular IPL match where Gambhir’s frustration with him reached a breaking point.
In a story shared by Tiwary, he explained how, despite being the top scorer in a friendly match against Australia with 129 runs, Gambhir continued to show his displeasure. Tiwary recounts how Gambhir confronted him for applying sunscreen while others were already on the field. “He shouted, ‘What are you doing here? Everybody else is on the ground!’ out of nowhere,” Tiwary said.
The relationship continued to deteriorate as Gambhir grew increasingly frustrated with Tiwary’s batting position. Tiwary vividly recalled a heated argument between the two at Eden Gardens, which ended with Gambhir threatening him. “Tujhe kabhi khilaunga nahi (I won’t give you a game),” Gambhir allegedly told him, further deepening the divide between the two.
This altercation escalated until the renowned Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram, who was the bowling coach for KKR at the time, intervened. “He [Akram] said, ‘You are the captain. Cool down,’” Tiwary recalled, but the damage had already been done.
The Aftermath: IPL 2023 Snub
The friction between Tiwary and Gambhir did not just remain confined to verbal altercations but also had significant consequences on Tiwary’s career. The Bengal cricketer was not retained by KKR for the 2023 IPL season, nor was he picked during the subsequent auction. While the reasons for his exclusion remain unclear, the tension-filled history between him and Gambhir could have played a role in his absence from the IPL franchise.
Despite the challenges, Tiwary remains focused on his cricketing journey. Over the years, he has proved his mettle in domestic cricket and continues to be a key figure in Bengal cricket.
Conclusion
Manoj Tiwary’s revelations about his relationship with Gautam Gambhir provide a behind-the-scenes look into the dynamics of the cricketing world. While it is not uncommon for players to have disagreements, Tiwary’s experience highlights how personal tensions, media attention, and internal team dynamics can influence a player’s career. As Gambhir continues his role as India’s head coach, it remains to be seen how these past conflicts impact their professional relationship moving forward.
For cricket fans, this saga between two prominent figures in Indian cricket adds another layer to the complex, often high-pressure environment of professional sports.
