Just weeks before India’s high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 clash against Pakistan, national head coach Gautam Gambhir finds himself at the center of a storm. Former India batter and ex-Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) teammate Manoj Tiwary has publicly branded Gambhir a “hypocrite,” reigniting old tensions and sparking a fresh debate over Indo-Pak cricket ties.
Tiwary’s scathing remarks come in response to Gambhir’s past statements opposing India’s participation in cricket matches against Pakistan until cross-border terrorism is eradicated. Now, with Gambhir coaching the Indian team set to face Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai, Tiwary has questioned his moral consistency and demanded his resignation.
🧭 Timeline of the Gambhir–Tiwary Controversy
| Date | Event Description | Impact on Public Sentiment |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–2015 | On-field clashes between Gambhir and Tiwary | IPL and Ranji Trophy incidents |
| May 2025 | Gambhir appointed India head coach | Mixed reactions from fans and pundits |
| August 19, 2025 | Asia Cup squad announced | Jaiswal and Iyer excluded |
| August 26, 2025 | Tiwary calls Gambhir a “hypocrite” | Sparks national debate |
| September 14, 2025 | India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash | Political and emotional backdrop |
Tiwary’s comments have added fuel to an already charged atmosphere, with fans divided over the ethics of playing Pakistan amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
📊 Key Quotes and Allegations by Manoj Tiwary
| Statement by Tiwary | Context and Implication |
|---|---|
| “He’s a hypocrite…” | Refers to Gambhir’s past anti-Pakistan stance |
| “Why can’t he just resign…” | Challenges Gambhir’s moral consistency |
| “He once said Jaiswal should never be dropped” | Criticizes squad selection under Gambhir |
| “Cricket should not come at the cost of lives” | Refers to Pahalgam terror attack |
Tiwary cited Gambhir’s earlier comments post-Pahalgam attack, where the coach had insisted India should not play Pakistan until terrorism is addressed. Now, with Gambhir leading the team into a match against Pakistan, Tiwary believes the coach has compromised his principles.
🔍 Squad Selection Controversy
Tiwary also slammed Gambhir for the exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer from the Asia Cup squad, despite their strong IPL 2025 performances. He recalled Gambhir’s praise for Jaiswal in past interviews, where he called the left-hander “the future of Indian T20 cricket.”
| Player Name | IPL 2025 Performance | Asia Cup Squad Status | Tiwary’s Criticism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 487 runs, Avg 40.58 | Dropped | “He should never be sidelined” |
| Shreyas Iyer | 412 runs, Avg 38.20 | Dropped | “Consistent performer ignored” |
| Shubman Gill | 206 runs, Avg 18.72 | Vice-captain | “Out of T20I setup for a year” |
Tiwary questioned the logic behind selecting Gill as vice-captain while ignoring in-form players, suggesting favoritism and inconsistency in Gambhir’s approach.
📉 India–Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Schedule
India and Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside UAE and Oman. The two arch-rivals are scheduled to meet on September 14 in Dubai, with potential rematches in the Super Fours and final.
| Match Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| September 10 | UAE | Dubai International Stadium |
| September 14 | Pakistan | Dubai International Stadium |
| September 19 | Oman | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi |
The fixture has already drawn criticism from fans and veterans who believe cricket diplomacy should not override national security concerns.
🧠 Historical Tensions Between Gambhir and Tiwary
The Gambhir–Tiwary rivalry dates back to their time at KKR, where disagreements over batting order and team strategy reportedly led to heated exchanges. In 2015, Tiwary filed a complaint against Gambhir for abusive behavior during a Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Delhi.
| Year | Incident Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | IPL clash over batting order | Internal team dispute |
| 2015 | Ranji Trophy verbal spat | Complaint filed, no public sanctions |
| 2025 | Asia Cup squad criticism | Public fallout reignited |
Tiwary has stated that his relationship with Gambhir “will never be good,” citing personal and professional grievances.
🔥 Fan Reactions and Media Buzz
Tiwary’s comments have sparked a wave of reactions across social media, with fans and pundits weighing in on the ethics of Indo-Pak cricket and Gambhir’s leadership.
| Platform | Sentiment Summary | Trending Hashtags |
|---|---|---|
| Twitter/X | Mixed reactions, support for Tiwary’s stance | #GambhirHypocrisy #AsiaCup2025 |
| YouTube | Vlogs and analysis on Indo-Pak cricket ties | #TiwaryVsGambhir |
| Memes and reels on Gambhir’s past statements | #CricketOverPolitics |
While some fans support Gambhir’s professional obligations, others believe he should have taken a stand consistent with his earlier views.
📌 Conclusion
As India prepares to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, Gautam Gambhir’s role as head coach has come under intense scrutiny. Manoj Tiwary’s explosive remarks have reignited debates around cricket diplomacy, moral consistency, and squad selection ethics.
Whether Gambhir’s leadership will be vindicated on the field remains to be seen. But off the field, the controversy has already cast a long shadow over one of cricket’s most anticipated rivalries.
—
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports and official statements as of August 28, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or sports advice.
