'Doesnt Have Right Words Nor Demeanour' - Manjrekar Says Gambhir Shouldn't Be Facing Media

Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised Gautam Gambhir for his press conference ahead of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, saying the India head coach "doesn't have right words nor demeanour" to face the media.

At the press conference just ahead of India's tour of Australia Gambhir was characteristically candid. He admitted to India being "completely outplayed" against New Zealand during the 0-3 whitewash at home and felt they "deserve the criticism" for the lacklustre performance.

After India's poor performance, Gambhir was subject to trolling and criticism on social media. When asked about it, he shrugged it off, saying he doesn't "feel the heat" and knew there would be challenges while taking up the position of India's head coach.

"What difference does social media make in my life, and for anyone's life? When I took up this job, I always knew that it was going to be a highly difficult job and a highly prestigious job as well. I don't think as if I'm feeling the heat because my job is to be absolutely honest," Gambhir stated.

Manjrekar, however, wasn’t impressed by how Gambhir handled the critical questions thrown at him. He raised doubts over Gambhir’s demeanour and choice of words in the press conference, saying it’s better to "let him work behind the scenes".

"Just watched Gambhir in the press conference. May be wise for @BCCI to keep him away from such duties, let him work behind the scenes," Manjrekar wrote on X. "He does not have the right demeanour nor the words when interacting with them. Rohit & Agarkar, much better guys to front up for the media."

Just watched Gambhir in the press conference.

May be wise for @BCCI to keep him away from such duties, let him work behind the scenes. He does not have the right demeanour nor the words when interacting with them. Rohit & Agarkar, much better guys to front up for the media. — Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 11, 2024

Gambhir also defended India's under-fire seniors, who had a torrid time with the bat in their series loss. "What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?" he responded to the former Australia captain's concern over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's Test batting form.

However, he hasn’t confirmed whether Rohit will be available for the first match at Perth from November 22. Should the Indian captain miss out, his deputy Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side, Gambhir revealed.

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