Gautam Gambhir hasnt made things easier, needs to take chill pill: Ex-India cricketer takes a brutal dig at head coach

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar took a brutal dig at Gautam Gambhir as he urged the India head coach to take a 'chill pill' and be open to tough questions after Shubman Gill-led side's spirited draw against England in the 4th Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. Manjrekar said Gambhir's tactical decisions didn't help India, and that the fight shown in Manchester was down to the players.

Manjrekar didn't mince his words as he stated that India have done well in the ongoing Test series against England despite some poor tactical calls from head coach Gambhir in team selection. India rode on centuries from skipper Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to bat throughout Day 5 of the Manchester Test on Sunday and secure a comfortable draw, keeping the series at 2-1 with one match to go.

"I feel India has done well despite some of his (Gambhir) tactical decisions. Let's not forget: India lost 3-0 at home (to) New Zealand, lost comfortably to Australia (away). The fight we've seen in this team? That's down to the players," Manjrekar said on Jio Hotstar following the drawn 4th Test between India and England.

"Because tactically, Gambhir hasn't always made things easier - especially with some of his selections," he added.

The cricketer-turned analyst also took potshots at Gambhir for failing to take constructive criticism and brushing aside everything contrary opinion as mindless criticism. Manjrekar's comments came after Gambhir hit back at the critics of Indian skipper Shubman Gill, calling them people who 'lacked' cricketing knowledge.

Responding to Gambhir, Manjrekar, who has never shied away from calling a spade a spade on Indian cricket matters, urged the India head coach to tone done his aggressiveness. Manjrekar explained how many had doubts about Gill's credentials when he was appointed as India's Test captain ahead of the England series, and that all Indian analysts and commentators speak for the betterment of Indian cricket.

"Yeah, you can tell there are certain questions that get under his skin - especially when people question Gill as a young captain and batter. And honestly, those are valid doubts. Even people who deeply understand cricket wonder whether this was the right time to hand him that opportunity. I just hope we can all understand this better," said Manjrekar.

"It's not about 'you guys think’ and 'we think' - we're all part of the same industry and the same country. I'd just like to see him take a chill pill, relax a bit, and be open to tough questions. Whether that will happen, I'm not sure," he added.

India produced an exceptional batting display in their second innings to overhaul England's 311-run lead despite being 2/0 down in the first over to secure a morale-boosting draw in the Manchester Test. Jadeja and Sundar slammed centuries apiece and shared an unbeaten stand of 205 runs for the 5th wicket to leave England desperate for a draw in the end.

However, despite pulling off a miraculous escape in Manchester, India trail 2-1 in the five-match Test series heading into the final 5th Test at the Kennington Oval in London. It will be a must-win clash for the visitors as a loss or a draw will see England clinch the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.