"Do you not think VVS Laxman should have been given first preference?" - Former cricketer's huge statement on Gautam Gambhir's appointment as coach

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary questioned Gautam Gambhir's selection as the head coach of the Indian team following their 1-3 series defeat in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Tiwary stirred up controversy after calling Gautam Gambhir a "hypocrite" and now took to X (formerly Twitter) to drop another statement on the current India head coach.

In the video posted on X, the former Kolkata Knight Riders batter directed a question to former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, asking if the selection of Gautam Gambhir as head coach over VVS Laxman was the right choice.

Tiwary pointed out that VVS Laxman took over as the coach in Rahul Dravid's absence during the latter's tenure. He said:

"Aakash Bhai, please explain to me, do you feel that Gautam Gambhir's selection as coach, do you not think that VVS Laxman should have been given the first preference? We all have seen that during Rahul Dravid's tenure, when Dravid took a break or was not available, VVS Laxman would be the head coach. I do not think there has also been any series where VVS Laxman lost.

"So do you not think that he should have been the automatic choice for the head coach of the Indian team? You can tell that it was BCCI's decision and that is the final decision. But what do you think? Did VVS Laxman not deserve it?" Tiwary said (0:43).

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Manoj Tiwary questions Gautam Gambhir's selection calls during BGT 2024-25

Manoj Tiwary also questioned some of the selection calls made by head coach Gautam Gambhir during the BGT 2024-25 series. Directing the question towards Aakash Chopra again, Tiwary asked him whether bringing Devdutt Padikkal for the Perth Test over Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was a part of the original squad, was a fair call.

"Do you not think that it is unfair that when the Test team is announced, players who are in the team do not get a chance and players are called from outside and played in the playing 11 straight away? Do you think that Abhimanyu Easwaran should have gotten an opportunity in the first Test in Australia or not? Why was Devdutt Padikkal called from outside? Will they not select Easwaran looking at the few India A vs Australia A games where he failed? What about the runs he has scored previously? Should he have been given the opportunity or not?" Tiwary opined (3:30).

Manoj also stated that the selection policies could be the reason for some disturbance within the Indian team. He added:

"I do not understand these policies in selection. Is this also the reason for some disturbance within the team, which is why the results are also not positive enough?" (5:04).

The former cricketer also spoke about Sarfaraz Khan not being given an opportunity during the BGT 2024-25 series. He questioned whether it was fair to judge him on the style of his play and not give him a chance.

"Do you not think Safaraz Khan should have gotten an opportunity? Do you think that people look at his style of play and think that he cannot play in Australian conditions? or English conditions. Is it right to judge players like this? He scored runs in the New Zealand series and has a first class average of close to 60. Is it not unfair? They tried everyone but what was the mistake of these players that they did not get an opportunity? Who will talk for them? Tiwary added (6:28).