Manchester: Is India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir a tad too touchy when it comes to any criticism against Shubhman Gill’s capabilities as captain?
Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar took a light-hearted jab at Gambhir after the post-match press conference on Sunday and said that he needs to relax when responding to questions.
During the press conference, Gambhir delivered a typically direct response in defence of Gill and said that those who doubt his capabilities don’t know cricket.
“No one has any doubt in Shubman Gill’s talent. Those who did, don’t know cricket; they can only talk. Some players need time to blossom in international cricket. And to be honest, no one in the dressing room is surprised that Shubman has done well on this tour. And honestly, even if he didn’t perform, no one would have pointed fingers. Those who know cricket understand what he is capable of. And the important thing is that he is living up to his expectations, his own talent and captaincy. Even this thing that people talk about all the time, ‘Captaincy pressure’, you don’t see anything of that kind when he goes into bat,” Gambhir said.
Gill was under the scanner from the start as he was appointed the Test skipper despite not proving his red-ball batting credentials. The 25-year-old proved his critics wrong with a series to remember, scoring over 700 runs. According to Manjrekar, certain questions get under Gambhir’s skin and anything to do with Gill is also one of them.
“Gambhir was exactly like it, he’s always been, and yeah, you can see that there are certain questions that get under his skin about people doubting Shubman Gill as a young captain and batter, and those are valid doubts,” Manjrekar said on JioHotstar after the match.
Manjrekar reminded Gambhir that everyone involved ultimately wants the best for Indian cricket.
“I mean, people who understand cricket also wonder whether it’s the right time to get that opportunity, and I hope he can just understand that better, and it’s never you guys think and we guys think we are all part of the same industry and the country as well,” he added.
He also told Gambhir to develop the ability to handle tough questions in press conferences and not take criticism too personally.
“So I just want him to sort of take a chill pill sometimes and just take it easy and answer questions and encourage questions that are tough, and I don’t know whether that’s likely to happen. I’d like to see at some stage Gautam Gambhir having that quality,” he concluded.
