Ex-KKR Star Slams Gautam Gambhir's Critics: 'Narratives Change Faster Than...'
Manvinder Bisla criticized social media fans for ignoring Gautam Gambhir's role in India's success in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, despite his contribution to the Edgbaston win.
Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player Manvinder Bisla has called out the hypocrisy of social media fans over head coach Gautam Gambhir's contribution to India's success in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Pointing at how Gambhir was criticized for India's loss at Headingley but not praised for the Edgbaston win, he said narratives were changing 'faster than the scorecard', and urged critics to include him in credits.
Gambhir stuck to the batting-depth-first formula at Headingley, despite it not working in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India again lacked support for Jasprit Bumrah as all-rounder Shardul Thakur wasn't used much while failing with the bat and succumbed to a five-wicket loss. Despite calls to include a wicket-taker in Kuldeep Yadav, the team doubled down on the plan and dropped specialist batter Sai Sudharsan as well.
The Edgbaston 11, with three pacers and two all-rounders, performed better than their English counterparts, with Akash Deep taking ten wickets and Mohammed Siraj seven. The batters contributed heavily to set up the win earlier, with Shubman Gill smashing 269 and 162 in the two innings. It ended in a 336-run win.
'Before the Test: @GautamGambhir messed up the XI. After the win: @ShubmanGill era begins. Narratives change faster than the scorecard. PS: Both are leaders — credit goes to whole team for this famous win. 🔥🇮🇳 #INDvsENGTest #famouswin #TeamIndia"
Bisla played under Gambhir's captaincy and KKR, between 2011-2014, scoring 89 off 48 balls against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final of the 2012 IPL to guide them to a 5-wicket win.
Gambhir has been under pressure ever since taking the job after winning IPL 2024 as KKR's mentor. Under him, India won a home series against Bangladesh but went on to lose the next two against New Zealand at home and Australia away, with the former being a humiliating first whitewash.
Gill, meanwhile, is the fifth youngest captain in India's Test history, filling not only the big shoes of Rohit Sharma but also Virat Kohli at number four. The remaining three Tests, starting at Lord's on Thursday, could determine where this new era of Indian cricket is headed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hyderabad Cricket Association president, four others arrested in IPL ticket controversy; Mohammed Azharuddin demands HCA be disbanded
Sunrisers Hyderabad play their home games in the IPL at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. (PTI) Hyderabad Cricket Association president A Jagan Mohan Rao and four other officials were taken into custody by Telangana CID on Wednesday for questioning, in a case of forgery and misappropriation of funds. Also taken into consideration have been allegations made by Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2025 IPL season regarding blackmailing tactics for complimentary tickets. The officials detained include Treasurer C Srinivas Rao, CEO Sunil Kante, General Secretary Rajender Yadav, and his wife G Kavita, according to a senior police official. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The complaint in the case was made by Dharam Gurava Reddy, general secretary of Telangana Cricket Association (TCA), filed on June 9. Subsequently, CID filed a case under Sections 465 (punishment for forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent), 420 (cheating) read with 34 (common intention). The complainant claims HCA president A Jagan Mohan Rao contested the elections using a forged document. It was also alleged Rao, along with some HCA apex council members, misappropriated funds to the tune of Rs 2.3 crore. CID arrested Rao from his residence in Gachibowli, Srinivas from Padma Rao Nagarand Kante from Begumpet. SRH Out of IPL 2025: What went wrong after last year's fireworks? In the IPL ticketing controversy, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had ordered an investigation after Sunrisers Hyderabad sought intervention from cricket governing bodies regarding the HCA's actions. The franchise raised concerns in a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the IPL Governing Council, claiming the HCA was "threatening" them primarily for more complimentary tickets. The IPL franchise had alleged that as against the agreement of giving 3,900 complimentary passes to the HCA for every match — 10% of the stadium's capacity — the state asociation president was asking for 20 more passes. The issue even threatened to derail a match between SRH and Lucknow Super Giants. Sunrisers Hyderabad had warned they would consider relocating their home matches to another state if the issue continued. The HCA, including Jagan Mohan Rao, has denied all allegations made by the franchise. Azhar demands HCA be disbanded In the aftermath of the arrests, former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin, an ex-HCA president, has sought a thorough inquiry into the functioning of the HCA and the disbandment of its current administration. "I am deeply disturbed by the ongoing IPL ticket scam and rampant corruption within the Hyderabad Cricket Association. The current HCA body has failed its duty and must be held accountable," said Azharuddin on X. "I urge immediate action, a thorough investigation, and the disbandment of the current HCA administration. It's time to clean up the system and restore integrity to Hyderabad cricket,' said Azhar in his post. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
India.com
41 minutes ago
- India.com
Sachin Tendulkar To Ring Lord's Bell Ahead Of India vs England 3rd Test In Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Clash
As India and England gear up for the pivotal third Test at Lord's, a special moment awaits fans at the Home of Cricket. Sachin Tendulkar, the very icon whose name now adorns the newly-minted Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, will ring the ceremonial five-minute bell on July 10, officially marking the start of play. In what is sure to be a goosebumps-inducing spectacle, the Master Blaster returns to Lord's—not to bat this time, but to bless the stage where his influence still looms large. Introduced in 2007, the ringing of the bell at Lord's is a revered tradition, reserved for legends who've shaped the game. With Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid having taken their turn before, it's only fitting that Tendulkar continues the Indian legacy at cricket's most iconic venue. Ironically, Sachin Tendulkar—who scored 51 Test hundreds and more than 15,000 runs—never etched his name on the Lord's honours board. Despite five outings at the hallowed ground, the elusive century at Lord's remained one of the rare gaps in his glittering resume. But the absence of a three-figure score hasn't diminished his aura here. In fact, his presence now carries even more significance, as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy gives a formal nod to his global stature. As India eyes back-to-back Lord's victories, having famously triumphed in 2021, Tendulkar's symbolic presence could serve as inspiration for the new-gen batting maestros aiming to carve their own path under his shadow. Gill and Jaiswal: Echoes of Tendulkar's Craftsmanship Leading the charge are Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, two technically sound and mentally resilient batters who have adopted Tendulkar's philosophy of relentless, mindful training. Much like the Little Master, both believe in developing instinct through intense repetition. Gill's recent form—including a match-winning 269—has seen him reconnect with the boyhood drills that once shaped him. "I tried to bat like I used to in my childhood," Gill confessed, emphasizing how he rediscovered his rhythm by reverting to basics—hours of solo grind and mindful repetition, the same traits that made Tendulkar a phenomenon. Similarly, Jaiswal—who now boasts 5 hundreds and 2 double tons in just 20 Tests—credits his match-day composure to off-day obsession. Practicing over 500 throwdowns a day and facing simulated 150 kmph deliveries, Jaiswal embodies the very spirit Tendulkar often spoke about: surrendering to the subconscious and letting the body make decisions born from countless hours in the nets. The Tendulkar Mantra: Where Technique Meets Intuition One of the most powerful insights Tendulkar ever shared was about the role of the subconscious mind in elite batting. 'You surrender yourself to the subconscious mind,' he once said. 'That's the secret.' From deciphering a bowler's wrist position to recognizing the shine on the ball, Tendulkar's genius lay in letting instincts, born of repetition, take over when under pressure. Both Jaiswal and Gill now walk the same mental path. Their ability to shift gears mid-innings, adapt to match situations, and execute plans under fire speaks volumes of their mental maturity—something Tendulkar mastered in his prime. India's Moment to Rise at the Mecca of Cricket With the India vs England series tied 1-1, the stakes couldn't be higher. Jasprit Bumrah's return promises firepower with the ball, while captain Shubman Gill's form brings stability at the top. The momentum is firmly with India after their dominant show at Edgbaston. And now, with Tendulkar set to grace the pre-match ceremony, a spiritual energy lingers in the air. The tricolor flying at Lord's wouldn't just be a cricketing feat—it would be a generational baton pass from Tendulkar to India's next superstars, symbolizing continuity, legacy, and evolution.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
India women register first-ever T20I series win in England; take unassailable 3-1 lead
Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues of India (Photo by) On July 9, 2025, the Indian women's cricket team scripted history by winning their first-ever T20I series in England. The moment carried even more weight because exactly 26 years ago, on July 9, 1999, India had won their first-ever ODI series on English soil. The symmetry of dates makes this achievement all the more special. India took a 3-1 lead in the five-match T20I series with a dominant six-wicket victory at Old Trafford in Manchester. Chasing a target of 127, the visitors reached the finish line in the 17th over, thanks to a composed innings from Jemimah Rodrigues , who hit the winning runs. Shafali Verma gave India a quick start with a 19-ball 31, while Smriti Mandhana added 32 at the top. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur , playing in her 333rd international match, contributed a crucial 26 runs. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Earlier in the match, England managed only 126 for 7 in their 20 overs. Sree Charani starred with the ball for India, taking 2 for 30. Radha Yadav and Deepti Sharma bowled economical spells to keep the pressure on. The fielding effort was sharp as well, with Arundhati Reddy taking three catches. Poll Which player do you think will have the biggest impact in the final match? Harmanpreet Kaur Smriti Mandhana Sree Charani Deepti Sharma This win is a major milestone for India's women's team, who have shown great consistency and depth throughout the series. After a narrow loss in the third T20I, the bounce back was clinical. With one game to go, India will aim to finish the series 4-1 and build further momentum heading into future tours. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
