NEW DELHI: Former India batter Manoj Tiwari reacted to an interview by BCCI featuring Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir, which aimed to smooth over their past on-field banter in the IPL.
Kohli and Gambhir, who have shared the field as teammates for India, had numerous on-field altercations in the past that garnered significant attention.
“Too early to say anything about Gautam Gambhir (as Team India coach). He has only been on one tour so far (Sri Lanka), and now this (Bangladesh Test) in Indian conditions. He’s always been a fighter. Ever since stepping out of politics and taking on the role of India’s head coach, a new side of him has emerged. Good that he became friends with MS Dhoni and now we see a video of him with Virat Kohli, which is really impressive,” Tiwary told IANS.
The two have now moved past their former disputes and are collaborating within the Indian team setup as coach and player.
“Before becoming a coach, he had a rift (on-field) with Virat Kohli, but after taking on the role, it turned into a friendship. There is a good bond between the two, they’re now doing interviews together. No one imagined that something like that would happen. This is a change, and it’s necessary,” he said.
As India prepares for three major ICC events — the Champions Trophy, the World Test Championship Final (if qualified), and the 2026 T20 World Cup — Tiwary believes that these tournaments will test Gambhir’s capabilities as the new head coach.
“He has taken charge of a team with some of the biggest players, and it’s good that he’s trying to work with everyone. However, his strict personality remains; when he has something to say, he says it directly. The real test will be to see how long he can continue with this mindset, as in India, everything has become result-oriented, and no one focuses on the process anymore,” said the former cricketer.
The blend of Gambhir’s disciplined approach with the enormous talent in the Indian team sets the stage for a challenging yet exciting phase ahead.
With significant responsibilities ahead, Gambhir’s ability to balance his straightforward demeanor with the need for positive results will be crucial.
The evolution from on-field rivals to collaborative partners between Kohli and Gambhir marks a notable change in the dynamics of Indian cricket’s leadership.
