Advertisment

WATCH: 'Shaam ko bahar mil..' - Manoj Tiwary reveals Gautam Gambhir's threat during a Ranji Trophy game

Manoj Tiwary, a former cricket player from India, has opened up about his tense relationship with Gautam Gambhir while they were teammates at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League

author-image
Varun Sarwate
New Update
MANOJJ

Photograph: (x)

Manoj Tiwary, a former cricket player from India, has opened up about his tense relationship with Gautam Gambhir while they were teammates at the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League. In an interview with Lallantop, Tiwary described how Gambhir, the captain of KKR, while he was a member of the squad, unfairly singled him out.

Advertisment

In the history of Indian cricket, one of the most talked-about altercations was Gambhir and Tiwary's notorious fight during the 2015 Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Bengal at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium. But as it turns out, it was only another episode of Tiwary and Gambhir's animosity toward one another, not the first.

In a recent interview, Tiwary, who has not held back from criticising Gambhir in the past, has again taken aim at his former teammate. Reflecting on his time with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Tiwary recalled how he and Gambhir got along well at first before things soured between them.

“It was a Ranji Trophy match and I was taking guard at the crease. He was abusing from slips. Nobody should use such words. Maa-behen ki gaali. Then he said, ‘Shaam ko mil, main tujhe dekhta hu‘. (Meet me in the evening; I am going to thrash you). I said, ‘Shaam ko kyu abhi maarlo (why evening? Let's fight now)'. I was also strong," Manoj Tiwary said during the interview.

Gambhir, who is well-known for having a fiery and driven nature, led KKR to major success, including two IPL victories. Tiwary and other players, however, took issue with Gambhir's actions, calling them needlessly harsh and occasionally hurtful. 

Once, we had a heated argument about my batting position at the Eden Gardens. I was upset and had gone to the washroom. He barged in and said, "This attitude won't work. Tujhe kabhi khilaunga nahi (I won't give you a game). This and that. I never liked such words. He was giving me a threat. Aaj ke baad, tujhe kabhi khilaunga nahi. Wasim Akram also came in. He was our bowling coach, so he calmed things down. He said, 'You are the captain. Cool down.' He understood; he knew what was happening. He had said good things about my talent a few years ago," Tiwary said.

Watch the video here:

Gautam Gambhir's role is questioned after India's poor form 

Gautam Gambhir, who is currently India's head coach, has frequently caused division. Both players and commentators have criticised his tough approach and no-nonsense attitude. Tiwary has publicly criticised Gambhir's hiring as head coach after India lost to Australia and New Zealand in the Test series. He questioned Gambhir's suitability for the position and called him a "hypocrite" who doesn't live up to his words.

According to Tiwary, Gambhir's coaching philosophy is unclear, and he hasn't yet developed a unique approach that works for the national team. Gambhir's present position as head coach has also demonstrated his unyielding style.

Gautam Gambhir BCCI Indian Cricket Team Ranji Trophy
Advertisment
Advertisment