“Sack Gautam Gambhir to save Indian Test cricket” - Manoj Tiwary calls for a new red-ball head coach

Manoj Tiwary made an explosive call to the BCCI to "Sack Gautam Gambhir to save Indian Test cricket" after the 0-2 loss to South Africa. He accused Gambhir of 'chopping and changing,' blaming players, and using a 'transition narrative' to push out seniors.

28 Nov 2025 14:19 IST

New Update

Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary has slammed the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir after India’s 0-2 whitewash against South Africa in the just concluded two-match Test series at home, in Kolkata and Guwahati.

Speaking exclusively to Hindustan Times, Tiwary asserted that the constant chopping and changing were the reason behind India’s poor Test run at home. Interestingly, this was India’s second consecutive Test series whitewash at home to a SENA nation after earlier losing to New Zealand by 0-3 last year.

"To be honest, the writing was on the wall. It had to happen. I knew things were not going well; the process they want to follow is not the right strategy or plan. There was a lot of chopping and changing, which was very evident. That could have been in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, home series against New Zealand, and now against South Africa," Tiwary told Hindustan Times.

Furthermore, the former Indian cricketer also emphasised that it’s high time the BCCI looks for a different coach in the red-ball format, adding that there has been no great achievement in Gambhir’s tenure so far as a head coach.

"Absolutely. There is no question about it. (whether India should have a separate red-ball coach). It's high time they take this decision to save Indian Test cricket. That's the bottom line,” he added.

"Apparently, Gambhir is claiming that he got a series draw in England with a young team. In my opinion, the England series draw was not a great thing for us. It wasn't a good result; the kind of players we had, it was England who made the mistake of playing too many shots on the last day. They could have easily won the series 3-1. There is no great achievement in his tenure so far," Tiwary noted.

India will next lock horns with South Africa in the three-match ODI series, starting on Sunday, November 30.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at BetBarter and download the BetBarter app to start betting today!