Gautam Gambhir reacts to Tharoor's PM Modi post, says pitted against his own team

By Admin

22 Jan, 2026

India vs New Zealand series sparks off-field debate
The India vs New Zealand T20I series began with a thrilling opening match in Nagpur, but it wasn’t just cricketing action that grabbed attention. India head coach Gautam Gambhir found himself at the center of a social media storm after reacting to a public post by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. What started as a word of praise soon turned into a widely debated statement about authority, responsibility, and internal dynamics within the Indian cricket setup.

Shashi Tharoor’s praise and the PM Modi comparison
A day before the opening T20I, Shashi Tharoor shared a post on X recalling his meeting with Gautam Gambhir in Nagpur. Describing Gambhir’s role as the second-toughest job in the country after the Prime Minister, Tharoor highlighted the pressure of being constantly judged by millions while maintaining composure and determination. The reference to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, added weight to the praise and quickly drew public attention.

Gambhir’s sharp and ambiguous response
Following India’s first T20I win against New Zealand, Gambhir responded late Thursday night. While acknowledging the discussion around his role, his tweet hinted at deeper frustrations. Gambhir stated that the idea of him having “unlimited authority” over the Indian team was far from reality and that clarity would emerge once “the dust settles.” His remark about being “pitted against my own who are the very best” sparked intense debate, as he refrained from naming or directly accusing anyone.

Social media speculation and selection committee angle
A section of fans and analysts interpreted Gambhir’s words as a subtle reference to the Indian selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar. However, Gambhir did not explicitly point fingers, leaving room for speculation. The ambiguity of his statement only fueled discussions around who truly holds decision-making power in the current Indian team structure.

Gautam Gambhir’s dramatic tenure as head coach
Since taking charge, Gambhir’s tenure has been marked by sweeping changes across formats. India appointed Suryakumar Yadav as T20I captain, while stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin retired from Test cricket. These decisions signaled a strong push toward transition, but not without controversy.

Selection reversals and growing scrutiny
More recently, Shubman Gill’s inclusion in the T20I setup was rolled back during the T20 World Cup selection meeting, despite his vice-captaincy status. Such reversals have unsettled fans, especially in light of India’s losses in Test series at home and in Australia, along with their first-ever home ODI series defeat against New Zealand.

What Gambhir’s message really reflects
Gambhir’s social media post appears to underline frustration with the narrative surrounding his authority and influence. While praised publicly, his comments suggest that the reality behind the scenes may be far more complex. As India navigates a crucial transition phase, the question of who Gambhir was addressing remains unanswered, keeping fans and experts guessing about the internal equations within Indian cricket.

Conclusion
The exchange between Gautam Gambhir and Shashi Tharoor has gone beyond a simple social media interaction. It has opened up broader conversations about leadership, accountability, and power within Indian cricket. As the India vs New Zealand series continues, attention will not only be on performances on the field, but also on how this evolving story around the Indian team’s leadership unfolds off it.