Manoj Tiwary recalls being 'targetted' by former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has shed light on his strained relationship with Gautam Gambhir during their time together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League. In an interview with Lallantop, Tiwary shared instances of being unfairly targeted by Gambhir, who was KKR’s captain during his tenure with the team.
Renowned for his determined and fiery personality, Gambhir’s leadership style brought KKR great success, including two IPL titles. However, it also led to friction with teammates, including Tiwary, who described Gambhir’s behaviour as unnecessarily harsh and, at times, hurtful. Tiwary revealed that their disagreements often escalated to the point where others had to intervene. He recalled one specific incident when KKR’s then bowling coach, Wasim Akram, had to step in to prevent a war of words between the two.
“I would get scolded without any reason. I couldn’t understand why he would target me. In fact, when I came to KKR in 2010, he and I got along nicely. But then he would lose his cool at me out of the blue. He would use very hurtful words. Then, when I started thinking about it, I realised that out of all the local boys at KKR, I was the one who used to perform consistently. And since I was a promising youngster, the media was giving me attention. So, he didn’t react to it well. That is what I believe,” Tiwary said on Lallantop.
“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.
Gambhir, who now serves as India’s head coach, has often been a divisive figure in cricket. His no-nonsense attitude and strict approach have drawn criticism from players and commentators alike. Recently, Tiwary openly criticised Gambhir’s appointment as head coach following India’s Test series defeats to New Zealand and Australia. He questioned Gambhir’s credentials for the role, labelling him a “hypocrite” who fails to practise what he preaches. Tiwary argued that Gambhir lacks clarity in his coaching philosophy and has yet to establish a distinctive style that benefits the national team.
Gambhir’s uncompromising approach has also been evident in his current role as head coach. Reports suggest he recommended the BCCI impose restrictions on family time for players during tours, a move aimed at fostering focus and discipline but one that has sparked debate about maintaining a healthy balance between personal and professional commitments.