Sanjay Manjrekar took a light-hearted jab at Gautam Gambhir, saying the India head coach needs to relax when responding to questions about player criticism during press conferences. After the fourth Test, Gambhir didn't hold back while responding to those doubting Shubman Gill's abilities as captain, delivering a typically direct response in defence of the young skipper.
"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 in the press conference.
Gill was under the scanner before the start of the series as he was appointed the Test skipper despite not proving his red-ball batting credentials. However, the 25-year-old shut his critics with a series to remember, scoring over 700 runs. Manjrekar asserted that certain questions get under Gambhir's skin and pointed out that doubting Shubman 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.
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{{/usCountry}}"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.
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{{/usCountry}}The former cricketer urged Gambhir to perceive the divide between critics and him as he reminded the head coach 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.
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'Gambhir should encourage questions that are tough'
He further told Gambhir to develop the ability to encourage tough questions in press conferences, suggesting he should not take criticism too personally and approach such moments with a lighter attitude.
"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.