‘There will be a lot of unrest’: EX-IND batter warns Gambhir and Rohit about ‘cracks in team’

Latest update:Oct 27, 2024 06:15 PM IST

Manoj Tiwari warned captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir of “cracks in the dressing room” after the historic defeat.

IND vs New Zealand 1st Test: Rohit Sharma reacts to the bell (AP)

Manoj Tiwari came down hard on captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir after New Zealand ended India’s record run of 18 consecutive wins in a home Test series dating back to 2012. New Zealand thus became only the fourth team to win a Test series in India since 1990, after South Africa, Australia and England.

The former Indian cricketer also warned Rohit and Gambhir about “cracks in the team”.

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“India’s biggest enemy was the weather in Bangalore because they prepared the turn track there. After winning the toss, India got the opportunity to field but I don’t know why they decided to bat first and that’s where it all started. First they picked the team wrong, then after losing the first Test they made three changes,” Tiwari was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

“Well, you might call Washington Sundar’s change inspiring, but that doesn’t mean Kuldeep Yadav couldn’t get them wickets. Thus, they felt a lack of batting options and hence wanted Sundar to contribute lower in the order. That’s why India went all out to get him. What this will lead to is that in the coming days there will be a lot of turmoil in the team, cracks will appear in the team. You already have spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel, who has previously picked up wickets in spin conditions. But you ignored him and then benched Kuldeep in the second Test. You didn’t play Akash Deep in Bangalore but included him in the second Test where you didn’t give him the ball in the second innings. Then you didn’t start with Jasprit Bumrah in the attack. All this will have unpleasant consequences,” he added.

The Indian men’s cricket team will be aiming for a consolation win in the third and final match of their three-Test series, which begins in Mumbai on Friday.

(With participation of agencies)