ENG vs IND 2025: “Gambhir Must Tone it Down with Press”: Manjrekar Says India Winning In Spite of His Errors

Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India, may find it helpful to speak with the media with a more composed demeanour, according to former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar. Gambhir's words following India's tense fourth-test draw with England at Old Trafford, Manchester, were followed by his own.

After KL Rahul (90) and Shubman Gill (103) left cheaply, India batted out the entire fifth day, with Washington Sundar (101*) and Ravindra Jadeja (107*) taking their side to its knees with their undefeated 203-run partnership. After India's outstanding victory, Gambhir wasted no time in attacking the detractors who had questioned his strategies, claiming that anyone who had doubts about Gill was ignorant of cricket.

Manjrekar Slams Gambhir:

Talking to JioHotstar Manjrekar said, “Yeah, you can tell there are certain questions that get under his skin, especially when people question Gill as a young captain and batter. And honestly, those are valid doubts. Even people who deeply understand cricket wonder whether this was the right time to hand him that opportunity. I just hope we can all understand this better. It's not about ‘you guys think’ and ‘we think’ - we're all part of the same industry and the same country. I'd just like to see him take a chill pill, relax a bit, and be open to tough questions. Whether that will happen, I’m not sure."

India did well to draw this match despite Gautam Gambhir’s decisions and tactics

— Sanjay Manjrekar pic.twitter.com/s0msBVlrXG

— James Clark (@Oreotiger1) July 27, 2025

He further added, “I feel India has done well despite some of their tactical decisions. Let's not forget: India lost 3-0 at home, New Zealand lost comfortably to Australia. The fight we’ve seen in this team? That’s down to the players. Because tactically, Gambhir hasn’t always made things easier, especially with some of his selections. And to suggest that Karun Nair wasn’t dropped... come on. You guys see it as a drop; for them, it's about 'picking the right team."

Manjrekar also alluded to the fact that despite several tactical choices that have come under fire, India has performed well in the series. One of the main topics of concern has been team selection, namely the ongoing exclusion of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has not yet appeared in the series. Many have pointed out that the present approach may have sacrificed a more aggressive spin option in favour of batting depth, which is emphasised by Shubman Gill and the head coach in particular.

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