Manvinder Bisla, a former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player, has recently defended Gautam Gambhir against what he perceives as unfair criticism, highlighting the fickle nature of public opinion and social media narratives. Bisla's comments come in the wake of India's Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy win, where Gambhir, now the coach of the Indian cricket team, faced scrutiny for team selections and strategies.
Bisla pointed out the hypocrisy in how Gambhir was treated following contrasting results in the series. He noted that Gambhir wasQuickly blamed for the loss at Headingley but didn't receive due credit for the victory at Edgbaston. This observation underscores a common phenomenon in sports, where narratives shift rapidly based on immediate outcomes, often overshadowing the underlying processes and long-term vision.
At Headingley, Gambhir employed a batting-depth-first approach that ultimately didn't succeed. India also lacked sufficient bowling support for Jasprit Bumrah, and Shardul Thakur's contributions with both bat and ball were minimal. The team's decision to stick with their plan, even amidst calls to include a wicket-taker like Kuldeep Yadav and a specialist batter like Sai Sudharsan, drew criticism.
However, the team's fortunes changed at Edgbaston, where a different combination of three fast bowlers and two all-rounders proved more effective. Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj took a combined 17 wickets, and the batsmen, particularly Shubman Gill with scores of 269 and 162, played crucial roles in securing a 336-run victory for India.
Bisla encapsulated this shifting narrative in a tweet, saying, "Before the Test: @GautamGambhir messed up the XI. After the win: @ShubmanGill era begins. Narratives change faster than the scorecard". He emphasized that both Gambhir and Gill are leaders and that the credit for the win should go to the entire team.
Gambhir's journey as a leader and coach has been marked by both success and intense scrutiny. After KKR's IPL 2024 win, where Gambhir served as a mentor, he took on the role of head coach of the Indian cricket team. While India secured a home series win against Bangladesh under his guidance, they subsequently lost series against New Zealand and Australia.
Bisla played under Gambhir at KKR from 2011 to 2014, including the 2012 IPL final where he scored a crucial 89 off 48 balls against Chennai Super Kings, helping KKR win by 5 wickets. This shared history likely informs Bisla's perspective and his defense of Gambhir.
Other voices have also emerged in support of Gautam Gambhir, particularly in response to criticism from former India batter Manoj Tiwary. Tiwary had accused Gambhir of being a "hypocrite" and taking undue credit for KKR's IPL successes, attributing them to effective PR rather than individual effort.
In response, KKR players Harshit Rana and Nitish Rana strongly defended Gambhir. Harshit Rana described Tiwary's comments as stemming from "personal insecurities," while Nitish Rana emphasized Gambhir's selflessness and ability to shoulder responsibility. Nitish Rana stated that "Criticism should be based on facts, not personal insecurities... Performance doesn't need PR".
These contrasting opinions highlight the complexities of evaluating a leader's impact in cricket. While some focus on immediate results and perceived shortcomings, others emphasize the importance of a leader's vision, team-building skills, and ability to create a positive environment. Gautam Gambhir's career, both as a player and a leader, has undeniably been impactful, marked by significant achievements and unwavering commitment.
