'That is a completely...' - Former player slams Gautam Gambhir for making biased team selection in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024

Former India player and KKR's star batter Manoj Tiwari opened up about the head coach Gautam Gambhir and his 'biased selections' in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024. The selection of Harshit Rana over Akash Deep was controversial since the newcomer doesn't have much experience in red-ball cricket. Despite all the odds going against him, Gambhir insisted on having him around in the playing XI which wasn't a smart move by the head coach. 

While having a chat with the Hindustan Times, Tiwari slammed Gambhir for making these choices which weren't in the team's favor. Akash Deep is an outstanding bowler, and after showing good performances against Bangladesh and New Zealand, dropping him looked 'biased' in every aspect. 

"Why wouldn't Nitish Rana and Harshit Rana, for example, not support Gautam Gambhir? Harshit Rana played in Perth in place of Akash Deep. How was that possible? What did Akash Deep do wrong? He bowled fantastic spells against Bangladesh and New Zealand. As a fast bowler, you dream about bowling in friendly conditions, but you dropped him and went in with Harshit, who doesn't have that much first-class experience. Akash Deep has fabulous records. That is a completely biased selection. That is why players will come out and defend him," said Manoj Tiwary.

This is PR which I am talking about: Manoj Tiwari

Manoj Tiwari also bashed Gautam Gambhir's PR for spreading the wrong image to the viewers. It was unnecessary for people to defend Gambhir for all the wrong decisions he had made on the tour. He also said that Akash Deep doesn't have a voice, which is why Rana had the upper hand on him. 

"I have said nothing wrong. This is PR which I am talking about. That never used to happen. When something or someone speaks the facts, people come up defending the individual, but they don't know me. I only speak on facts. PR is quite evident. If you thought Harshit was so good, why didn't you continue with him for the rest of the series? Akash Deep doesn't have a voice," added Tiwari.